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Sortable Player Projections | Game Predictions Summary | Projections by Team
Prediction: ARI 3, PHI 31
Players to Watch: Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy
Update: Kevin Kolb is listed as questionable and has not been ruled out this week but has not practiced at all and has almost no chance of starting let alone play well in Philly.
The 2-6 Cardinals hit the road where they are 0-4 without a healthy quarterback or running back and land in Philly where they end up like the fat guy knocking on the door of the Donner Party. "Well come in outta the snow, butterball!" This has blood bath written all over it in fat guy blood.
Arizona Cardinals |
| Homefield: University of Phoenix Stadium |
Grass |
| |
Opp |
Score |
|
Opp |
Score |
| 1 |
CAR |
28-21 |
10 |
@PHI |
- |
| 2 |
@WAS |
21-22 |
11 |
@SF |
- |
| 3 |
@SEA |
10-13 |
12 |
@STL |
- |
| 4 |
NYG |
27-31 |
13 |
DAL |
- |
| 5 |
@MIN |
10-34 |
14 |
SF |
- |
| 6 |
Bye |
- |
15 |
CLE |
- |
| 7 |
PIT |
20-32 |
16 |
@CIN |
- |
| 8 |
@BAL |
27-30 |
17 |
SEA |
- |
| 9 |
STL |
19-13 |
- |
- |
- |
| Cardinals Report | Statistics | Roster |
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Pregame Notes: The Cardinals ended their six game losing streak when they returned a punt for a score in overtime but even the visiting Rams needed something screwy to happen in order for them to win. Now embarking on a three game road trek, the season is getting no better for the beleaguered franchise and even the one surprise - Beanie Wells - may be turning back into a pumpkin.
QUARTERBACK: Kevin Kolb has a bone bruise in his foot and a "slightly" torn ligament in his toe but has not yet been officially counted out. But barring full practices this week, early reports all indicate that Kolb will miss one more week and let John Skelton get clobbered in Philly.
Skelton accounted for 222 yards and one score as the starter but that was against the visiting Rams - about as good as it gets. This week Skelton will do well enough to survive against a defense that needs a patsy for now. No reason to expect a score here and the yardage is likely marginal as would be expected. On the plus side, only Skelton can make Kolb look good.
RUNNING BACKS: Although Beanie Wells has a balky knee that limited him to only 20 yards against the Rams, HC Ken Whisenhunt said he was not going to shut him down and let his knee heel for a week or two. Wells performance against the Rams was reminiscent of 2010 when Wells could do little more than run 2.5 yards each play and then fall down. He's been a nice surprise for a team that really has no other positives going on.
Wells is facing a very soft rushing defense but comes in with no passing game to support him and a knee that is problematic to an unknown extent. Short of seeing him practice fully and hearing good things, expect another down game from Wells in what should be a good opportunity for an offense if it were not decimated by injury.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Against the soft Rams secondary, Early Doucet (6-78) and Andre Roberts (5-55) both had one of their better efforts while Larry Fitzgerald scored once on his four catches for 43 yards. No reason to expect that good this week against a secondary with good corners and only Fitzgerald to worry about. Expect a marginal game by Fitzgerald and hope for trash time to let him get some catches in at the end of the game. The Eagles are tough on wideouts and that is all the Cardinals are really bringing to the fight.
TIGHT ENDS: No fantasy value.
| RANKS (1-32, 1 = BEST) |
TEAM |
QB |
RB |
WR |
TE |
PK |
DEF |
| Gaining Fantasy Points |
ARI |
22 |
15 |
16 |
23 |
29 |
12 |
| Preventing Fantasy Points |
PHI |
17 |
29 |
7 |
10 |
1 |
23 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
| Homefield: Lincoln Financial Field |
Turf |
| |
Opp |
Score |
|
Opp |
Score |
| 1 |
@STL |
31-13 |
10 |
ARI |
- |
| 2 |
@ATL |
31-35 |
11 |
@NYG |
- |
| 3 |
NYG |
16-29 |
12 |
NE |
- |
| 4 |
SF |
23-24 |
13 |
@SEA |
- |
| 5 |
@BUF |
24-31 |
14 |
@MIA |
- |
| 6 |
@WAS |
20-13 |
15 |
NYJ |
- |
| 7 |
Bye |
- |
16 |
@DAL |
- |
| 8 |
DAL |
34-7 |
17 |
WAS |
- |
| 9 |
CHI |
24-30 |
|
|
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| Eagles Report | Statistics | Roster |
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Pregame Notes: The loss to the Bears quickly undid all the good that came from trouncing the Cowboys and all the faults of the offense and defense came rushing back to center stage when they could not stop Jay Cutler and then Michael Vick could not rally on his own. All those worries won't matter in this game that will be - by far - the easiest matchup left on the schedule and a chance to once again feel better about the Eagles. The away game against the Giants looms next week but the Eagles cannot afford to overlook anyone.
QUARTERBACK: Michael Vick should have a nice bounce back game since he was on a two touchdown streak
until recently and the Cardinals are unlikely to mount much fight with a minimal offense. What could get into the way though is the success of the running game but chances are Vick uses this opportunity to toss at least two scores and post decent yardage if only because he can. The only reason that the Cards have not always allowed big passing yards is that the last two road games resulted in both Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice scoring three touchdowns each.
RUNNING BACKS: This has to be LeSean McCoy week since he not only faces the weak Cardinals rushing defense, but he currently is tied with Steve Van Buren for most games in a row with a touchdown (8) in franchise history and he gets to break it a mere 64 years after it was initially set. McCoy has scored at least once in every game this year and is tied for the NFL lead with nine rushing touchdown.
Again - this defense has allowed six rushing scores in the last two road games and McCoy is looking to break a nice record in his home stadium. The Eagles want to celebrate something and this is it for the week.
WIDE RECEIVERS: DeSean Jackson has been ineffective for the last three games with sub-50 yard efforts and no scores and even he is getting testy with the media. Jeremy Maclin remains a sold possession receiver always good for 60 yards or more but the oddity here is that all but one of their shared six touchdowns came in road games. The Cardinals have been weaker against the speed guy and that should work into Jackson's favor for once. He's becoming a bigger risk with every waning week but Jackson is in a good spot for a touchdown against a secondary weaker with fast guys like him. Jason Avant is just the watercress on the offensive plate.
TIGHT ENDS: Brent Celek has evolved into a much used weapon recently and has two scores in the last two weeks and seven catches in each of the last two games. I like him to have a decent showing here but the game will be more about McCoy than a need to throw so temper expectations.
| RANKS (1-32, 1 = BEST) |
TEAM |
QB |
RB |
WR |
TE |
PK |
DEF |
| Gaining Fantasy Points |
PHI |
5 |
5 |
5 |
18 |
10 |
13 |
| Preventing Fantasy Points |
ARI |
23 |
18 |
27 |
15 |
24 |
22 |
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