The Eagles defense forces two turnovers on downs and even more punts in their 23-11 win over the Giants.
Winning is clearly for the birds even though it seems that every major newspaper will have an article with such a headline. This weekend the Eagles and Cardinals have both pulled off upsets leading them into a matchup that the Eagles have already seen this season. That may have been a different Cardinals team though as the Arizona birds have been stronger than usual as of late. Still a 48-20 thumping of the Cardinals on November 27th tells the story of a new Eagles team as well. It was right after the disappointing loss in Baltimore which at the time seemed to seal the fate of the Eagles. Well as many know Dovan McNabb, Brian Dawkins, and co. have tempted faith more than once this season passing through in unlikely fashion. Their statement game back in November, though not out of memory, is not what the Eagles will be focusing on. These Cardinals are different. Even though the Eagles have continued to win consistently since November 27th doesn’t mean this team is quite the same either.
The Eagles defense that had originally been thwarted early in the season by the Giants run game with Jacobs was only thought to have beaten the Giants in their second meeting because Jacobs wasn’t present. This time though the defense made a statement of their own by defeating the reigning Super Bowl Champions including two fourth and one stops. The Eagles defense bent in the wind but of course did not break, especially in the 2nd half which means the Eagles have not let up a second half point all postseason so far. They will not take the Cardinals’ offense lightly. There is still work to be done. It will clearly be a battle, but for the 5th time while Coach Reid has been at the helm the Flyers will take the field in a Conference Championship game. Their last trip to this level of the playoffs ended with a birth in the Super Bowl even though their first 3 consecutive attempts ended with the Eagles flying home. The lockerroom is an optimistic one, but more importantly they are ready for the Battle of the NFC Birds.
