NFC Championship Game Preview | ravens26's Blog

EAGLES @ CARDINALS

Go back seven weeks and no one would have ever guessed that this would be the NFC Championship Game. Not with the Giants, Panthers, and Falcons still around. But it is and as a Ravens fan first, Eagles fan second, I am very excited for next weekend! But lets look at this game.

KEY 1- EAGLES OFFENSE vs CARDINALS DEFENSE

The defense of the Arizona Cardinals surprised us all by intercepting Jake Delhomme five times. 5! In their two postseason games, they have nine takeaways, more than the Ravens. And the Cardinals get to face an Eagles offense that can't wow anyone. McNabb is off and on, as is their whole offense. It will be up to Brian Westbrook to take advantage of any holes he gets becuase the Cardinals defense is just playing lights out by controlling the potent Falcons and Panthers offenses. ADVANTAGE: CARDINALS D

KEY 2- CARDINALS OFFENSE vs EAGLES DEFENSE

This is a tough one. The Cardinals can score at will with a reborn running game and one of the league's best passing games. But the Eagles counter that with a Jim Johnson defense that has given up two offensive touchdowns in two postseason games, both to the Vikings last weekend. They blitz and they tackle, and they can dominate. ADVANTAGE: EAGLES DEFENSE

In the end, I think the Eagles will win. I can understand giving them the nod for their NFC Title game experiance, but Kurt Warner has been to a few, including two Super Bowls to McNabb and Company's one. I like the Eagles because of that defense. They controlled the Giants and Vikings running games, two of the best in the league. They held them both to under 17 points and the Giants to only field goals and a safety, which technically is not their fault! McNabb just needs to control the game, he does not need to take chances. Run the ball consistently and try to break the Cardinals defense and there going to Tampa.

SCORE: EAGLES 24, CARDINALS 13