Week 15 Preview: Eagles host Cardinals looking for 3rd straight win

After two straight wins, the Philadelphia Eagles are finally beginning to show signs that they have what it takes to be a winning team. It could not have come at a better time, considering they are preparing to take on one of the toughest opponents in the National Football League, the Arizona Cardinals.

Five weeks ago, Philadelphia could not find an identity. The Eagles, as a whole, were inconsistent to say the least. Although Chip Kelly attempted to put together his winning team, this season has been a series of highs and lows.

As for the Cardinals, things have gone a lot smoother for them this season. They are sitting on a impressive 11-2 record and were able to win their last four road games. With exceptional quarterback play from veteran Carson Palmer, the Cardinals are averaging 31.2 points per game, which is second in the league.

Game time for this Sunday's game at Lincoln Financial Field had previously been flexed from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Aside from what everyone is saying, this week’s game matters very much for the 6-7 Eagles. Arizona is not in the same division as the Eagles, but winning this game will prove to the NFL that Philadelphia is a credible football team that can potentially make a decent playoff run.

There's no doubt that Arizona is a good football team, however, if the Eagles play the right scheme and can convert on third downs on both sides of the ball, they will win this football game. Execution is key this week.

Arizona’s record might tell you that Philadelphia doesn’t have much of a chance, but the Cards had an easy schedule this season. In most of the games they won, they either played discombobulated teams or just barely beat teams at the end of the game. Even so, their record simply shows that they are capable of playing 60 minutes of football and if the Eagles want to beat them their going to need to do the same.

Currently, the Eagles are tied for first place with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. The NFC East has been awful this season and it’s essentially anyone’s division to win.

Much like Philadelphia, both Washington and New York have tough match-ups this week. If both teams manage to lose and Philadelphia can pull out a win, the Eagles will be in sole possession of the division lead as they prepare to host Washington the day after Christmas.

Game Notes

•  Carson Palmer has completed 53 percent of his passes against the Eagles throughout his career. 
•  If the Arizona Cardinals can beat the Eagles, they will have clinched their first division title since 2009. 
•  Sam Bradford has a 97.5 passer rating over his last four games. 

Injury Report

Eagles

Probable

• T Allen Barbre (Calf)
• QB Sam Bradford (Left Shoulder)
• DE Vinny Curry (Illness)
• T Lane Johnson (Shoulder, Ankle)
• DT Bennie Logan (Knee)
• WR Jordan Matthews (Back)    
• CB Byron Maxwell (Ankle)
• DB Eric Rowe (Ankle)
• LB Marcus Smith (Hamstring)
• DE Cedric Thornton (Ankle)
• T Matt Tobin (Knee)

Cardinals

Doubtful

• DT Cory Redding (Ankle)

Questionable

• RB Andre Ellington (Toe)
• TE Jermaine Gresham (Knee)
• S Rashad Johnson (Ankle)
• CB Patrick Peterson (Ankle)
• CB Jerraud Powers (Calf)
• DT Frostee Rucker (Ankle)
• C Lyle Sendlein (Knee)

Probable

• WR Larry Fitzgerald (Ankle)
• WR Brittan Golden (Concussion)
• ILB Sean Weatherspoon (Illness)

Where to Watch

TV: NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)

Dan Ketler is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ketler11.