I think that’s the most intriguing matchup of all.

Kurt Warner has to have time in order to be successful. Martz was notorious for casting his QBs onto the rocks down below. Whisenhunt definitely values giving Warner time. Edgerrin James, as you know, is an excellent blocker. I will be interested to see how the Eagles defend against a 3 wide set with Edge alternating as a blocker, screen outlet and runner.

Philly doesn’t do “cat and mouse” games. They do pit bull games. If they go all out for Warner and get there, it’ll be ugly fast. I can certainly see Warner adding to Asante’s scrap book. If they don’t get there, it’s stiff arm city for everyone back there because Larry and Anquan don’t play that.

I know this upcoming game between ARI and PHI will not be a redux of Thanksgiving but Reid will stick to his guns with the running game. The question is does Westbrook have anything left to give though but the Cards don’t necessarily need to know that. Decoy him out wide and give CBuck more carries (as I’ve been saying since the Cincy game) because he’s probably just as fresh as Edge back there.

Another thing is that even though the Cards’ D is playing possessed the last two games they have benefitted from sloppy QB on the other side. McNabb will not allow his snap count to be figured out a la Matt Ryan and I’m sure his INT issues are behind him now so he won’t toss it up for grabs like Jake D. It’s getting old to say but the Eagles are playing with house money and McNabb’s the banker. There’s no stress on this guy because if he stinks it up Sunday there are 20 other teams that will take him if the Eagles don’t want him. Win Sunday and on Feb. 1 and he can write his own check in Philly because while Westbrook is who the defenses gameplan for, it’s still McNabb who runs this team.

Gimme Steelers at home with a healthy Willie Parker too because Big Ben was firing laser beams yesterday. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Ravens just to make it a storybook year for the Eagles but either way the AFC rep will be playing the Eagles because no matter what the offense does, BDawk and JJ are going to have their boys ready to knock snot out of Kurt Warner. Tag him and the rest will follow.

I feel you in picking the Ravens. 0-3 would be insane.

Think of it this way…they haven’t seen a healthy Willue this year…so they could just be:

0-1 vs. Healthy Willie (Sunday);
0-1 vs. Healing Willie (Week 15); and
0-1 vs. Absent Willie (Week 4).

The way I see it, that’s much more palatable. Makes sense from here. What do you think now??
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BTW — I still think if the Eagles are balanced, they won’t lose to AZ, but I think AZ might make them 1-dimensional in a hurry this game. Andy’s gotta stick to his guns and be patient — regardless of the score.

For all the haterade I’ve tossed at Arians this season, he can say this — they had a top 10 offense last year. And, in the last 2 games with a healthy Willie Parker, the Steelers have scored 31 and 35 points in games that Ben Roethlisberger didn’t even finish. I could be entirely wrong about the season for the Steelers. I said a week ago that I had a feeling the offense would show up. If it shows again vs. the Ravens this game could be very interesting.

Just an aside on the importance of a healthy Willie Parker…

The last time that Parker was “100%” and played against the Ravens, he was instrumental in a blowout win. He had 23 carries for 42 yards, but the Ravens attention to him was the key to Ben Roethlisberger going 13-16 for 209 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Steelers won 38-7.

I’m not suggesting they’ll do that on Sunday, but if the offense shows up, the Steelers will score especially with their deep passing game. (Santonio and Nate had 4 td’s in that game.)

As for Arizona, they’re more like Philly than folks may be willing to recognize. Both teams have defensive lines anchored by Florida State tackles…Bunkley in Philly, Darnell Dockett in AZ. Both have a #2 DT who plays with tremendous leverage and power — Gabe Watson in AZ, Mike Patterson in Philly. Both have solid linebacking corps. Both have ball-hawking secondaries with dynamic playmakers. Samuel, Brown, Dawkins. Rolle, Rogers-Cromartie, Wilson. Nice.

Both have solid kickers — Akers and Rackers.

Both have huge offensive lines.

The Cardinals have an ENORMOUS edge at WR, but it plays to the Eagles secondary strength. The Eagles have an ENORMOUS edge at RB, but it plays to the Cardinals strength up front.

The Eagles, to be fair, beat a tired team who had already clinched its post-season when they played. It was the Cardinals 4th cross country trip. It was a Thursday night game (short week). If you THINK you’re going to see the same Cardinals that you saw that night in Philly, fuggedaboutit! It ain’t gonna happen. The Cardinals front seven has demolished two of the top running games in the NFC. Atlanta — 60 yards and a huge fumble to turn the tide of that game. Carolina — 75 yards for DeAngelo AND J. Stewart.

The Eagles that take this team lightly will be 2009 poster boys for “My F$@$! Up Summer Vacation” starring Donovan McNabb and Michael Westbrook.

The Eagles can win. The Eagles won’t win easily and better not head to the desert thinking they will. Arizona is where they are because of their sheer strength and physicality on defense. 9 forced turnovers in 2 games. The offense gets all the attention, but the defense causes all the destruction.

You’ve been warned.

Let’s see if Arians and Whisenhunt keep it all in the family.