NFL PLAYOFFS- NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

By, Michaela Ennis

This is it, whoever wins this one gets a trip to Tampa. The fact that the game is between Philadelphia and Arizona is still shocking to me, but they did what they needed to do to get here, so they deserve it.

First off, a recap of both of these teams seasons:

Arizona- The Cardinals started off the season 2-0, with wins over San Fransisco and Miami, and then suffered losses the next two weeks to Washington and the Jets. They proceeded to win 2 more games (against Dallas and Buffalo) before entering the bye week at 4-2. Their first game after the bye week they lost to Carolina, but then rebounded to win 3 straight against St. Louis, San Fransisco, and Seattle. The New York Giants would come to University of Phoenix Stadium the next weekend, to face a 7-3 Cardinal team that was unbeaten at home up to that point. New York was able to take them down, and the rest of the regular season was a downward spiral from there. They traveled to Philadelphia to get blown out by 28 points, beat St. Louis, and then suffered their second home loss in a 35-14 drubbing against Minnesota. Then came their low point of the season, in which they were EMBARRASSED by the Patriots, 47-7. They managed to end the season with a win over Seattle, but did not look like a playoff team. Their passing game thrived all year, scoring 4th in the league, but their run game was the absolute worst in the NFL in the regular season. And the Cardinal defense, they didn’t play very well either. Entering the playoffs, everything was stacked against them- they were 3-5 on the road, and those only 3 wins came to divisional opponents, they were 3-7 outside of the NFC West, which had a combined record of 22-42, and they were on a slump entering the playoffs. However, they turned things around with a solid win over Atlanta in the Wild Card round of the playoffs (a game that most people counted them out in, including me), and finally established a running game and played some defense. They figured out how to win at just the right time. Then they marched into Carolina, and once again, few people thought that they would stand a chance against Carolina, let alone blow them out. The Cardinal forced 6 turnovers, ran the ball well, and passed the ball like usual, allowing them to advance to this game. I and many others argued they shouldn’t even be in the playoffs at one point, but it looks like the Cards have proved us all wrong.

Philadelphia- The Eagles started off with a dominant victory over St. Louis, but then lost to Dallas to start off 1-1. Following that, they beat a very good Pittsburgh team in a hard fought defensive battle, but then blew a lead to Chicago the next week. They were then upset by Washington, but rebounded with a victory over the 49ers, to enter their bye week at .500. The Eagles won their first two games following the bye before losing a close game to the Giants, and then tying the abysmal Bengals. After getting blown out by Baltimore and benching McNabb in the second half, Philadelphia looked like they were done, but the benching of #5 actually helped the team rebound. They won 3 straight over the Cardinals, Gmen, and Browns, and looked like they would win out and make the playoffs. However, they reverted to their old selves against the Redskins, and after that loss, they needed some luck and a win over Dallas to make the playoffs. Early the next Sunday, the Buccaneers lost to the Raiders at home, something very unexpected, and the Bears blew an early lead to the Texans, making the 4:15 pm Dallas Philadelphia game a win and in game. The Eagles made an embarrassment out of the Cowboys, and would be heading to the playoffs on a very high note. In the Wild Card round, they won a very physical defensive battle against Minnesota and then went on to win an even uglier defensive battle against the Giants. Their offense hasn’t looked too great in these past two games, but the Eagle D has been phenomenal and has led them to this point.

Philadelphia Eagles Rumors & Scores

Game Preview- In my opinion, this game will come down to whether or not the Arizona D can keep up the way they have been playing in the playoffs. Both defenses have been playing well, but Arizona’s O has played much better than Philadelphia’s. Of course, Arizona has faced poor defensive teams, so obviously their offense is going to play better. If both defenses can step it up (and I can guarantee Philadelphia’s will) then this game will come down to three things- 1. turnovers, 2. field position, and most importantly 3. which offense can come up with enough big plays to win the game. With Arizona’s air attack, and with the way they have established the run lately, I think that team is the Cardinals. So the real question is how will Arizona’s D do against Philadelphia’s O. If Arizona can stop them, they will win, but if the Cardinals fail to play good defense, the Eagles will. As for outside factors, I think Philadelphia and Arizona have equal momentum, the Eagles winning against the #1 Giants, and the Cardinals blowing out the #2 Panthers, both have a lot of confidence right now. Arizona is home, and in the regular season that seemed to be a huge factor for them, but as this past divisional round has proved, the playoffs are a new season. Overall, this should be a great game, and I do think Arizona pulls this one out. They have already fooled me twice, why pick against them again? AZ 27 – PHI 24

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