Somehow, the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals enter Week 8 as two of only four one-loss teams remaining in the league. We knew the Cardinals would be good this season after going 10-6 a year ago and missing the playoffs simply because they happened to play in a murderous division. But did anybody think they would be leading that same division by two games this late into the season? Or that they would be doing so despite having missed Carson Palmer for three games?
3 questions for Eagles vs. Cardinals NFC showdown
The 5-1 Cardinals are slight favorites (-1) in home game (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET) against the 5-1 Eagles, two of the NFC’s best teams led by two of the league’s most innovative coaches. Can Chip Kelly’s defense keep Bruce Arians’ offense in check for the road win?
Ezra Shaw
And sure, the Eagles were bona fide contenders for the NFC East, but that was a projection made under the assumption that Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy wouldn't be slumping badly midway through. Foles' passer rating has dropped nearly 40 points below last year's mark, and McCoy has found the end zone just once, but there the Eagles sit, just behind the Cowboys at 5-1.
Who will continue to win on Sunday will be decided on how the following three questions are answered:
1. Can the Eagles’ ground game stay on track against the Arizona front?
LeSean McCoy finally lurched out of his rut last week against the Giants, breaking the 100-yard mark for the first time this season and rushing for 6.8 yards per carry on 22 attempts (his previous season high had been 4.0). Whether he can sustain the momentum against one of the league's best run defenses will go a long way in determining the outcome on Sunday.
Anchored up front by Calais Campbell and a cast of aggressive, physical linebackers, the Arizona defense is allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game (72.5) and is stopping opponents at or behind the line of scrimmage on 21 percent of runs. Making matters even worse for Philly, its two best run blockers, All-Pro guard Evan Mathis and starting center Jason Kelce, are still battling injury. Throw in a banged-up knee for Darren Sproles, whose quickness and receiving ability have helped widen defenses, and the Eagles could be in trouble on the ground.
Philly's offense is predicated on opening up the passing attack by establishing the run. If the Eagles can get in gear, it will open up opportunities downfield and take some of the heat off of Nick Foles.
2. Can the Cardinals hold off a resurgent Philly pass rush?
The key the Eagles’ recent defensive success has been their newfound ability to get to the quarterback. In the 35 games leading into Week 4 of this season, they averaged just 2.0 sacks and 17.0 pressures per game, per Pro Football Focus. Over the last three games, that’s up to 5.3 and 26.0. In Week 6’s shutout of the Giants, Philadelphia piled up eight sacks.
And it’s not just Bill Davis dialing up blitzes, either. Twelve of the 16 sacks over the three-game streak have come while rushing only four, providing an extra body for a secondary that has struggled at times.
Arizona counters with one of the better pass-blocking lines in the league. With free agent signee Jared Veldheer providing a major boost at left tackle, the Cards rank ninth in Football Outsiders's adjusted sack rate. But if Philly's front can find a way through, it will cause problems for the immobile Palmer, especially if the Eagles can do so rushing just four.
3. Can Nick Foles take care of the ball?
Foles threw just two picks during his 2013 breakout, but matched that number by the second game this season. He’s now thrown seven on the year, with five of them coming in the last three games. The lack of a running game and injuries on the offensive line have played a role in the turnover increase, but it’s also clear that Foles’ decision making just hasn’t been as sharp in 2014.
While the Cardinals rank 31st in pass defense, they've hauled in a third-best eight interceptions. Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are two of the more talented secondary players in the league, and Jerraud Powers has emerged with three picks this season. Foles will likely be able to pick up yards against this unit, but he'll pay for mistakes in turnovers.
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