11/26/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The mood could turn celebratory at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night, though that celebration might have less to do with Philadelphia Eagles fans enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday than with the Arizona Cardinals rejoicing over a division title.
Arizona travels to Philly needing only a victory in the third game of the day to take home its first division title since 1975.
That year, the St. Louis Cardinals topped the NFC East, and the ensuing 32 seasons were marked mostly by mediocre-to-poor play for an organization that shifted its base of operation to the southwest in 1988.
The Cardinals made the postseason just once in their first 20 seasons in Arizona, and have never topped the NFC West in its six previous years of existence. Ken Whisenhunt's club actually had a chance to become the league's first playoff entry in Week 12, but fell at home to the Giants (37-29) to leave open the long-shot possibility of San Francisco (3-8) recovering to win the NFC West.
The Cards can erase that possibility on Thursday night, but in order to do so will have to win on the east coast for the first time this year.
Arizona enters Week 13 at 0-3 in games played in the Eastern Time Zone, having fallen at the Redskins (24-17), Jets (56-35), and Panthers (27-23) already this season.
The homestanding Eagles, meanwhile, are a team in turmoil as they prepare to host Thanksgiving football for the first time since 1940.
Philadelphia has gone 0-2-1 in its last three games to both fall into last place in the crowded NFC East and seriously damage its hopes of reaching the playoffs this year.
Two weeks ago, a 13-13 tie against one-win Cincinnati was followed by six days of conversation about quarterback Donovan McNabb and his ignorance toward the NFL's overtime rules.
Then on Sunday, McNabb played poorly in the first half at Baltimore, and was surprisingly benched at halftime of a 10-7 game in favor of second-year-pro Kevin Kolb.
Kolb (10-of-23, 73 yards, 2 INT) was no better in what would become an eventual 36-7 loss, sparking debate about head coach Andy Reid's decision and the future of the team's quarterback spot for the rest of this year and beyond.
Reid revealed in his Monday press conference that McNabb would be his starter against Arizona, but any extended poor play from the five-time Pro Bowler is likely to incite the ire of a notoriously vocal Philadelphia fan base.
The Eagles will be playing on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since Nov. 23, 1989, when they blanked the Cowboys (27-0), and will be hosting a Turkey Day game for the first time since they lost to the Steelers (7-0) on Nov. 28, 1940.
Philadelphia is 3-1 all-time in Thanksgiving Day games.
The Cardinals last played on the holiday in 1985, when the then-St. Louis- based team was a 35-17 loser to the Cowboys.
The organization is 6-14-2 all-time on Thanksgiving, and is 0-7 on the holiday since the then-Chicago Cardinals defeated the Detroit Lions on Nov. 25, 1948.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cardinals lead the all-time regular season series with the Eagles, which dates back to the 1935 season, by a 53-52-5 count. Arizona broke a deadlock in the series with a 27-21 home victory when the teams last met, on Christmas Eve 2005. Philadelphia won the previous meeting between the teams, a 38-14 affair at Veterans Stadium in 2002. The Cardinals last won in Philly in 2001, a 21-20 shocker at the Vet.
In addition to the regular season series, the teams have met twice in the postseason, with the then-Chicago Cardinals downing Philly by a 28-21 count in the 1947 NFL Championship, and the Eagles returning the favor with a 7-0 win in the 1948 NFL title game.
Reid is 4-4 in his career against the Cardinals, while Arizona's Whisenhunt will be meeting both Reid and Philadelphia for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL
The Cardinals have put up points and yards like a pinball machine this season, ranking third in the league in scoring offense (28.9 points per game) and second in passing offense (309.8 yards per game). Quarterback Kurt Warner (3506 passing yards, 21 TD, 8 INT) is having an MVP-caliber season, and along with Saints quarterback Drew Brees, remains on pace to surpass Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record of 5,084, set in 1984. Wideouts Anquan Boldin (73 receptions, 11 TD) and Larry Fitzgerald (72 receptions, 6 TD) are also on a collision course with the Pro Bowl. Warner threw for 351 yards with a touchdown and an interception in last week's loss to the Giants, and Boldin and Fitzgerald combined for 16 catches and 158 yards in the defeat. Steve Breaston (54 receptions, 1 TD), who had six grabs for 86 yards against the Giants, has been as reliable a No. 3 receiver as anyone in the league. A running game that ranks 30th in the NFL (81.1 yards per game) and last in yards per carry (3.3) is the obvious offensive weak spot for Arizona, though rookie Tim Hightower (320 rushing yards, 9 TD, 24 receptions) has offered something of a spark since being elevated above ex-starter Edgerrin James (384 rushing yards, 3 TD), and has been terrific in the red-zone.
The ability to keep the Cardinals' offense in check on Thursday will have everything to do with Philadelphia's ability to put pressure on Warner and apply consistent coverage in the secondary. The Eagles enter Week 13 with 39 sacks on the year, and ends Darren Howard (21 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT), Trent Cole (59 tackles, 7 sacks), and Juqua Parker (38 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT) have all been consistent forces coming off the edge. In the secondary, the team will need Asante Samuel (27 tackles, 3 INT), Sheldon Brown (38 tackles, 1 sack), and Lito Sheppard (18 tackles, 1 INT) to do their part against the Cardinals receivers, with safeties Brian Dawkins (52 tackles, 2 sacks) and Quintin Mikell (65 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT) lending support. Samuel is regarded is as questionable with a neck injury for Thursday, and if he can't go, Joselio Hanson (29 tackles, 1 sack) will likely see greater playing time. The Birds rank 11th in the league against the run (99.7 yards per game) and shouldn't have a great deal of trouble against Arizona's rushing attack. Tackles Brodrick Bunkley (36 tackles, 2 sacks) and Mike Patterson (29 tackles, 1 INT) have done a nice job at the point of attack for much of the year, and linebackers Stewart Bradley (79 tackles, 1 sack), Omar Gaither (54 tackles, 2.5 sacks), and Chris Gocong (42 tackles, 2 sacks) have done much of the cleanup behind them.
WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL
McNabb (2770 passing yards, 14 TD, 10 INT) has shouldered much of the blame for Philadelphia's offensive problems of recent weeks, but there is no doubt that the questionable health and limited productivity of running back Brian Westbrook (547 rushing yards, 34 receptions, 8 TD) has had a trickle-down effect for the entire attack. Westbrook, who has been hampered by rib, ankle, and knee problems this season, has been held under 100 combined rushing and receiving yards in each of his past four outings, including a scant 34 yards on 16 total touches in Baltimore last week. That reduces the margin of error for McNabb, and make no mistake, the quarterback has made far too many errors. The QB's three first-half turnovers against the Ravens raised his four-game total to 10 miscues, and he will have to better protect the football in order for Philadelphia to have a chance on Thursday night. Rookie DeSean Jackson (47 receptions, 92 rushing yards, 3 overall TD) remains the Eagles' most reliable target, and tight end Brent Celek (20 receptions) has emerged as a solid over- the-middle option as well. Hank Baskett (23 receptions, 3 TD) ranks second on the team in receiving yards (367) but was held to one, eight-yard catch last week. The Philly line has surrendered a modest 17 sacks, but the protection has been hit-or-miss in recent weeks.
Though the Cardinals have been quietly credible on the defensive side of the football this season (10th overall, 301.7 yards per game), there is no disputing that an inability to make enough stops against the Giants last Sunday ranked as the main component in the loss. Arizona was at its most deficient against the pass, allowing Eli Manning to complete 26-of-33 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns to extend the unit's league-worst total of TD strikes surrendered to 22. Cornerbacks Eric Green (29 tackles, 1 INT) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (24 tackles, 2 INT) will look to bounce back against the Eagles, with safeties Antrel Rolle (51 tackles, 1 INT) and Adrian Wilson (48 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT) lending support over the top. The Cardinals pass rush has generated 24 sacks on the year, with the only one last Sunday coming by leading sack man Bertrand Berry (12 tackles, 5 sacks). Arizona is a competent eighth against the run (89.5 yards per game) this year, and limited the Brandon Jacobs-less Giants rushing attack to just 87 yards on 27 carries (3.2 per rush) a week ago. Tackle Darnell Dockett (29 tackles, 3 sacks) and linebackers Karlos Dansby (79 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) and Gerald Hayes (56 tackles) have been among the club's top run-stoppers this season.
FANTASY FOCUS
The Cardinals have been a monster team from a fantasy standpoint this year, with Warner, Boldin, Fitzgerald, and kicker Neil Rackers ranking as must- starts, with third wideout Breaston and running back Hightower also credible lineup options. Don't hesitate to use any of the above this week against an Eagles defense that has rarely been dominant. Also consider using the Arizona defense, given the number of turnovers Philadelphia has committed in recent weeks.
Fantasy owners of McNabb caught something of a break when Reid effectively named him the starter for the rest of the year on Monday. It's hard to know how he'll respond one week following his benching, but against a Cardinals defense that has had its soft moments (see last week), he figures to hold his own. Elsewhere on the Eagles, Westbrook has weighed down fantasy lineups over the past few weeks, but it's tough to leave him on the bench. Jackson is a decent flex play, and kicker David Akers ranks among league leaders in scoring. Stay far away from the Philly defense on Thursday night.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Arizona's problems on the east coast have been well-chronicled, and the fact that the Cardinals will also be operating on a short week, just five days after playing a physical Giants team, does not speak well of their chances on Thursday night. The drama surrounding the Eagles should also not be underestimated. Reid and company are desperate for a win, and McNabb should be motivated to show the fans, his coaches, and the world why he's still worthy of a starting job. Also, from a matchup standpoint, the Birds match up better with Arizona than most opponents. The Eagles have a strong, hard-hitting secondary that could make things tougher than usual on Fitzgerald and Boldin, while Philly's pass rush should put more than the normal amount of heat on Warner. The Cardinals are a better football team than the Eagles, but the circumstances make Philadelphia the more attractive pick on Thursday night.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Eagles 30, Cardinals 27
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Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
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