The Cardinals knew they weren't going to be challanged in their division by Week 5. By the time they had become 7-3 they had nothing to play for. They beat a good Dolphins team, the Bills when they were still undefeated and beat the Cowboys before they got banged up. Even after that they gave the Giants a run for their money.
They had to travel across the country 3 days after playing a physical game against the Giants. That Thursday night game was unfair for them. The Pats game was a wake up call. They dominated the Rams the following week, dominated the Falcons for 3 quarters, and demolished the Panthers. In the past 2 games they have had 7 picks and 2 fumble recoveries. They have been able to stop the run all year. Westbrook won't be a factor. They will force McNabb to throw picks. The O-Line has stepped up in the playoffs and Warner has plenty of time to throw. Boldin will be back. Their running game has come alive in the playoffs. The Eagles D won't be able to stop the run and defend the pass. They don't have enough depth in their secondary to cover Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston.
You might want to watch the team play before you do an analysis, instead of listening to ESPN.
I admit they played a great game against a Carolina team that was fat and happy and looking past them, and who couldn't defensively match up with them. That being said;
The Eagles have one of the deepest secondaries in the game. They can and will match up in single coverage on the AZ receivers, freeing up blitzers. (They did this last time they played AZ, and put Warner on the turf again and again, forcing him to release earlier than he wanted. Resulting in 3 interceptions and 2 FF's) Carolina couldn't do that. And the AZ running game...lol. TD's set up from a yard out by your pass offense isn't a running game. Hightower lacks the speed, and James lacks the interest anymore. Westbrook has more yards rushing than both of them,
combined. (Hightower 399, James 514, Westbrook 936)
And, did you
REALLY just say
"dominated the Rams" as a compliment to the Cardinals? That's pretty much the funniest thing I've heard all season.
Final score 31-17 Eagles.