Arizona is flying high following last week's 20-18 victory at New England. On Sunday, it hosts Philadelphia looking to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1974, when the franchise was still located in St. Louis. The Cardinals rank fifth in the NFL and second in the NFC in scoring defense, allowing 17.0 points per game. The Eagles became the first team in NFL history to win each of their first two games by one point following last week's 24-23, come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Arizona and Philadelphia join San Francisco and Atlanta as the only undefeated teams in the NFC after two weeks. In last season's meeting, the Cardinals rallied for a 21-17 victory at Philadelphia as John Skelton tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet with 1:53 remaining. Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has torched the Eagles with 26 catches for 456 yards and eight touchdowns in four meetings. Fitzgerald need just two catches to become the youngest player in NFL history with 700 career receptions.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -3.5, O/U 42
ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-0): The start of the season has been a thrill a minute for the Eagles, who have needed fourth-quarter rallies in both of their games (they edged the Browns 17-16 in the season opener). Quarterback Michael Vick has been inconsistent, completing 59 percent of his passes while throwing three touchdowns and a league-high six interceptions. He also has been sacked four times. The Eagles are 2-0 despite committing nine turnovers and have scored only 41 points despite averaging 471 yards of total offense per game. LeSean McCoy has been the most reliable offensive player, ranking sixth in the league in rushing with 191 yards. Tight end Brett Celek is coming off his best game as a pro with eight catches for a career-high 157 yards. The Eagles signed veteran offensive lineman Steve Vallas to replace Jason Kelce, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a torn ACL in his right knee. Philadelphia is looking to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2004. Eagles coach Andy Reid is 5-6 against the Cardinals.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS (2-0): Former Eagle Kevin Kolb has led the Cardinals to a pair of victories after Skelton, who won the starting job in preseason, went down in the fourth quarter of the season opener. Kolb has thrown two touchdowns and no interceptions in five quarters this season. Kolb, who played with the Eagles from 2007-2010, will be facing his former team for the first time. Defenses have been keying on Fitzgerald, who only has five receptions, but Kolb has been able to spread the wealth as tight end Todd Heap has eight catches and Doucet and Andre Roberts six each. Still, Arizona needs to improve its running game. Arizona is 28th in the NFL in rushing, averaging only 74 yards per game. Beanie Wells is averaging 2.8 yards per carry and Ryan Williams just 1.2. The Cardinals rank 13th in the NFL against the run and 11th against the pass. Linebacker Daryl Washington leads Arizona's defensive effort with 23 tackles, the second-highest total in the league. He had nine tackles in last year's game against the Eagles.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Kolb's 206 passing yards ranks last in the NFL for starting quarterbacks. Seattle rookie Russell Wilson has the next-lowest total with 304.
2. Since 2006, Eagles defensive end Trent Cole has 64 sacks, the third-most in the NFL during that span.
3. With last year's win, Arizona took a 54-53-5 lead in the all-time series.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 27, Eagles 24