NFC Championship: Deck Stacked Against Cards?

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by Digger

Is anyone giving the Arizona Cardinals a shot at beating Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game this weekend?

Nobody predicted their victory over Carolina last weekend. Nobody outside of Arizona is predicting the Cardinals to win the battle of the birds this weekend. Look out! Arizona has a great chance at knocking off Philly. Here's why:

Arizona's passing attack is one of the best in all of football. QB Kurt Warner enjoyed a statistically great season completing 67.1%, 30 TD's and 4583 passing yards. His receivers could start for any NFL team. Fitzgerald, Boldin & Breaston all netted over 1000 yards receiving. All are used to double teams and still find ways to drive defensive coordinators nuts.

One would expect Philly D to pressure Warner as often as possible. This will be the Eagles demise unless they're able to successfully jam Cards WR's at the scrimmage line. Once the Eagles start blitzing and cheating on pass plays, Edgerrin James will have a wide open field to roam. If Philly creeps up to the line trying to stop James, Warner's receivers will break free all game long. Believe it or not, the Eagles best chance on D is to play zone and cut off passing lanes. Man to man is no match... advantage Arizona.

As I handicap this game, Arizona has one weakness... stopping the run. Cards must do one of two things. Contain either Westbrook or McNabb. Everyone knows Philadelphia will try to get their running game going. All teams know the Eagles front line is suspect on short yardage. Numerous times they were stuffed on 3rd or 4th and short this year. Arizona's defense must be up for the challenge of containing Westbrook. McNabb has been lazar sharp in recent weeks. Problem is Eagles receivers often suffer from too many pigskin drops. In a game of such magnitude, drops will prove to be costly. Cards secondary will have no coverage problems ... bringing the focus back to Westbrook.

I'm not sure why the general consensus now seems to be shifting towards Philadelphia winning it all when there's one big obstacle standing in their way. Arizona. As of this moment, Arizona is every bit as hot as Philadelphia. I'd venture to say hotter since nobody game them any chance of playing in this game. Surprise! First, they disposed of a Falcons team which was supposed to win big. Next, they dispatched NFC #2 Panthers in Carolina last weekend when many considered them the leagues best chance at beating any AFC team. Now, they're being given no respect as we're only a few days away from the NFC Championship Game.

Guess what? Arizona will win this one. Fickle Philly boo-birds will once again start calling for Reid & McNabb to be run out of town after Warner torches Eagle defenders for 300+ yards.

Cardinals 33, Eagles 17