5-1 Eagles Getting Ready For 5-1 Cardinals
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is only week eight in the NFL and the seventh game for the Eagles, but Sunday's game against Arizona could have large ramifications down the road.
Both teams could be fighting for playoff positioning in December and Sunday's game could make the difference in getting a home playoff game or even a first round bye. While Chip Kelly has always preached a one-game-at-a-time approach, several players such as Jeremy Maclin admitted there will be plenty at stake on Sunday.
"It's a big time game," said Maclin. "It's an NFC opponent. If you look forward, which we don't like to do, it could mean something down the road. Just like any other game, we want to go out there and take care of business."
The Eagles running game finally got on track against the Giants in the team's last game before the bye week, but Arizona will present a stiff challenge for the Eagles backfield. Even with the potential return of Darren Sproles and Chris Polk, the Eagles will have a tough time going against the top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL. LeSean McCoy had high praise for the Cardinals defense and knows he will have to come up with one of his best performances of the season.
"I'm sure they'll try and take the run away," McCoy said. "They're a good team. They play well together. What so impresses me about that defense is just the way they kind of utilize their players. A lot of guys are hurt and for other guys to step in and make plays shows you a lot about the defense."
The Eagles will also have their hands full on the other side of the ball. The Arizona offense have put together a balanced attack and Eagles Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis has been impressed with what he's seen from this week's opponent.
"They hit all their options," said Davis. "The running back is getting a lot of touches both in the pass and the run game. The receivers are all getting different types of balls. They're playing four and five receiver sets. All the quarterbacks have played at a really high efficiency rate right now, so we've got a great offense that we're challenged with this week."
Davis is hoping to get a boost from Linebacker Mychal Kenricks, who is back at practice this week and is hoping to return on Sunday.
"It's a day‑to‑day thing," Davis said. "We're slowly leaking him back in there to see what he can do. These athletes know their bodies better than anything. Do all you can without going backwards with the injury."
Center Jason Kelce and Running Back Darren Sproles also practiced for the second straight day, but both were limited. Guard Evan Mathis also practiced, but is still at least two weeks away from returning from a knee injury.
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