NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals

After being written off by critics, the Eagles & Cardinals have clawed back to being one win away from the Super Bowl.

Eagles vs. Cardinals Overview:
Ten years since their last playoff victory, the Arizona Cardinals were seen by many sports experts as the worst team to ever qualify for the NFL playoffs. Fans with Arizona Cardinals playoff tickets saw their team defeat the Atlanta Falcons and then hand the Carolina Panthers a 33-13 blowout defeat. The Philadelphia Eagles snuck into the NFL playoffs through the backdoor with a clutch win over rival Dallas Cowboys, going on to bully the Minnesota Vikings and taking a tough win over the New York Giants. Fans with NFL playoffs tickets will see two hungry teams in Glendale, Arizona.

Philadelphia Eagles Offense:
Fans with Philadelphia Eagles playoff tickets were ready to run quarterback Donovan McNabb out of town but have since changed their tune. Donovan McNabb may not be the running threat he used to be, but he can buy chances in the pocket like no other. With a veteran offensive line in front of him, Donovan McNabb is able to survey the field and make plays. Rookie WR DeSean Jackson has become the favorite target of Donovan McNabb. RB Brian Westbrook usually carries the entire Philadelphia Eagles offense on his back, but the rest of the team has stepped up in the playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles Defense:

Ranked No. 3 overall, the 4-3 defense of coordinator Jim Johnson has truly stamped the Philadelphia Eagles playoffs tickets. Elite CBs Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown match up on islands and allow great safeties Quintin Mikell and Brian Dawkins to blitz from various points on the field. The DT duo of Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson clogs the center of the line and allows the remainder of the front seven to key on the pass. The Philadelphia Eagles defense features a notable rotation of pass-rushing DEs like Juqua Parker, Darren Howard, and Trent Cole.

Arizona Cardinals Offense:
The Arizona Cardinals offense ended the regular season ranked No. 4 overall, with 4,600 yards coming from the arm of QB Kurt Warner. The 11-year veteran has become a hero to fans with Arizona Cardinals playoff tickets, and his big-game experience will come in handy. WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston all went over 1,000 yards receiving in the regular season with Larry Fitzgerald dominating the NFL playoffs. The Arizona Cardinals offensive line has gelled as one of the best units in the NFL. RBs Edgerrin James keeps defenses honest.

Arizona Cardinals Defense:
The Arizona Cardinals defense is no longer riding the coattails of the offense as they have raised their game to another level in the NFL playoffs. The front seven has been particularly impressive, with veteran DE Bertrand Berry leading the way. MLB Gerald Hayes and OLB Karlos Dansby have also been outstanding in the postseason. Rookie CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie already looks like a shutdown corner and pairs with veteran Roderick Hood to make a lethal tandem. FS Antrel Rolle is a great deep-cover man while SS Adrian Wilson lays the wood in the box.

Philadelphia Eagles Keys to Victory:
The Philadelphia Eagles offense has been predicated on the versatility of RB Brian Westbrook, but Donovan McNabb has showed the ability and poise to win if he is shut down. Ideally, the Philadelphia Eagles would like to get Brian Westbrook as many touches as possible, using screens and runs to slow the pass rush. Even if he is not successful, Brian Westbrook can be a good decoy. Donovan McNabb must stay aware in the pocket and keep his feet moving. WR DeSean Jackson needs to stretch the field to open it up to Brian Westbrook and the shallow cross.

The Arizona Cardinals only had 10 rushing attempts in their regular-season meeting and the Philadelphia Eagles were able to chase down Kurt Warner and force him into interceptions. If the Philadelphia Eagles can shut down the run early, then the dogs can be unleashed on Kurt Warner. With his experience and the weapons outside, Kurt Warner is a dangerous adversary, and any blitz must be masked to prevent him from checking to a new play. Fans with Philadelphia Eagles playoff tickets will see the safeties held out of the box to provide deep protection.

Arizona Cardinals Keys to Victory:
Even fans with Arizona Cardinals playoff tickets know that their team cannot give up on the run. With a new commitment to running the football, the Arizona Cardinals offensive has gained a new edge, making it unstoppable. If RBs Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower can get it going early, then Kurt Warner will be able to use play action to destroy the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Tim Hightower and his outside speed will be needed thanks to the stout middle of the defense. Either Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald will have single coverage and Kurt Warner must get the ball to them.

The Arizona Cardinals defense held two 1,500-yard-plus rushers to a combined 100 yards in their two postseason games. If the Arizona Cardinals can do the same to Brian Westbrook, then they have a great chance of winning the game. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie held the incendiary Steve Smith in check and should easily make DeSean Jackson invisible on the field. With a turnover differential of seven in the playoffs, the Arizona Cardinals have become predatory against the football and must keep forcing these mistakes to create scoring opportunities.

Eagles vs. Cardinals Outlook:
Fans with Arizona Cardinals playoff tickets have never seen their team one step away from the Super Bowl, and to have the NFC Championship at home is a true gift. Not only is this a potential franchise-making moment, but a win will basically assure Kurt Warner his spot in the NFL Hall of Fame. Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb, and the Philadelphia Eagles are no strangers to the NFC Championship Game, and they would like nothing more than to get another chance at a Super Bowl victory. The atmosphere in Glendale, Arizona, will be palpable to fans with NFL playoffs tickets.

From clichés to honest NFL history, the Arizona Cardinals are busting through all previous barriers and are on a hot streak. Fans who have bought NFL playoff tickets for years or decades would never expect to find the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. University of Phoenix Stadium will be filled with fans that have waited their whole lives to see the Arizona Cardinals to be in this position. Defense usually wins in the postseason, but with so much momentum and a screaming crowd to back them up, the underdog Arizona Cardinals will snag a win.