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Point-counterpoint: Cardinals or Eagles?
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With the surprising Cardinals hosting the Eagles with the NFC championship and a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, Point-Counterpoint asks the question that's been on everyone's lips: Cardinals or Eagles?
Eagles have strengths you can rely on
As much as I’d like to hop on the Cardinals’ bandwagon, I just can’t make that leap.
And as much as the Cardinals would like to forget the 48-20 drubbing at the hands of the Eagles on Thanksgiving night, I just can’t.
Philadelphia Daily News' picks for Sunday's game
I don’t think the Eagles will be four touchdowns better again in Sunday’s NFC title game — there were too many factors going against the Cards in the previous game — but I still think Philly is the better team.
The Eagles have a much better defense and a much better running game than the Cards (the latter isn’t saying a whole lot). Those are things you can count on.
Getting nine turnovers (as Arizona has done in two playoff games) and relying on your ability to throw the ball in the red zone — those things tend to come and go.
Great defense is always reliable, and the Eagles have a great defense. If the Cards have to pass the ball on every down, I see Philly winning the turnover battle.
And the game, 27-23.
-Bob Romantic, Tribune Sports Editor
* * *
Read it and weep: Cards will win
Back in August, I predicted the Cardinals would finish 7-9.
In early December, I wrote that they were an immature, lazy team that didn’t know how to handle success.
And, truth be told, I wasn’t sure they would beat the Atlanta Falcons in the wild card game, much less go to Carolina and thump the Panthers.
So, yes, I’ve been one of those media types the Cardinals have used as a punching bag these last couple of weeks. (Had I known my words would be such an inspiration, I would have asked for a playoff share).
But I no longer can perform a public service by providing Arizona more bulletin board material. See, I think the Cardinals are going to win Sunday and play in the Super Bowl.
(I can’t believe I just wrote that).
Arizona is playing at home, where it’s 7-2 this season. Its defense is playing at a high level and forcing turnovers – nine in two playoff games. And I’ve yet to see a team be able to stop Larry Fitzgerald from catching those Kurt Warner fly balls.
So read it and weep Cardinal fans: Arizona 20, Philadelphia 17.
-Scott Bordow, Tribune columnist
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