One Win Away. . .

The Arizona Sports Fanatic previews the NFC Championship Game.

No introduction is necessary for this one.  Let's break the matchup down:

Running the Ball

Brian Westbrook (right) is pretty banged up, no question about it.  He

 should play, but will he be 100%?  And even if he is, how effective will he be?  He's only gained a dismal 1.6 yards per carry in the first two playoff games.  Correll Buckhalter gives the Eagles another option out of the backfield, but how good will he really be?  He's gained 34 

yards on 7 carries so far in the postseason, but 27 of those yards came on one play.  In the postseason, the Eagles have only run for 63.0 yards per game.  Will that be enough to win against a stingy

 Cardinals' defense?  So far in the postseason, the Cardinals' defense has been 

nothing short of spectacular in the at shooting gaps when their opponents have run the ball.  They've allowed only 67.5 rushing yards per game.

The Cardinals so far have run for 113.5 yards per playoff game.  Edgerrin James (left) has been a horse.  His diminished playing time in the regular season is starting to look like a blessing in disguise: he's been fresh for the playoffs.  In the first two games, Edge has gained 3.6 yards per carry.  He ran for 73 yards against the Falcons and 57 against the Panthers.  Take the final stat with a grain of salt, though -- the Panthers could not stop Larry Fitzgerald, so the Cardinals threw to him A LOT.  Can the Cardinals run on the 

Eagles' D?  The Eagles have allowed 143.0 yards per game this postseason.  

The answer?  Yes.

Advantage:  Cardinals

Passing the Ball

Does this one honestly need to be broken down?  At first glance, it seems

 like this category is a mismatch.  Kurt Warner is an assassin with a football in his hands.  He throws to three of the best receivers in the league in Larry Fitzgerald (right), Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston -- all of whom gained more than 1,000 yards in receiving yards this season.  Fitz makes circus catches look routine.  He will outjump any defender for a high ball.  Q is the toughest player in the league, no question.  His hands are better than most anyone in the league, and his yards gained after the catch make him look like vintage Barry Sanders.  Breaston would start on virtually any other NFL team.  It is true that the Eagles' defensive backs are talented, but they haven't faced receivers like this yet in the 

postseason.

But the Eagles also have talent in their passing offense.  Their

 running backs are dangerous pass receivers out of the backfield.  Donovan McNabb also can throw, no question.  So far this postseason, they have thrown for 250 yards per game (compared to 246.3 per game for the Cardinals).  They do have a solid

 receiving corps in DeSean Jackson (left), Kevin Curtis, and Jason Avant.  DeSean Jackson's playmaking skills are downright scary.  So far in the playoffs, Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (right) has completely shut down his assignments.  Panthers WR Steve Smith was a complete non-factor last weekend.  Rodgers-Cromartie will be guarding Jackson today.

Did this category need to be broken down?  Yes, but. . .

Advantage -- although not as big of an advantage as one would think upon first glance: Cardinals

Special Teams

Both teams possess dangerous punt returners in DeSean Jackson and Steve Breaston.  The Cardinals' punting game has improved significantly after the acquisition of Ben Graham.  Philadelphia's punting game is also legit with Australian Sav Rocca booming them deep.  Those two areas of special teams are even.  Where this category is NOT even is the placekicking department.  Eagles kicker David Akers has a limited range for an NFL kicker.  He's iffy past 40 yards, and past about 46 yards, he's virtually guaranteed not to make it.  Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers has a cannon for a leg and is among the best in the NFL beyond 50 yards.  Unfortunately for the Cardinals, their kickoff and punting coverage leaves a lot to be desired.  They tend to give up too much on returns.  If they do that too much, they'll lose the field position battle, which could be crucial today.

Advantage on FG: Cardinals

Advantage in everything else on special teams:  Eagles

Coaching

Ken Whisenhunt and his staff have been incredible this postseason.  He's faced by Andy Reid and his staff, who are excellent at preparing the team for a game.  Whisenhunt is a much better game manager, however.  Reid is just plain awful at clock management, and he's also guaranteed to make one bad challenge during the game.

Advantage: Cardinals

Intangibles

Both teams got hot at the right time.  The Eagles have been billed by the all-knowing sportswriters as "The Team of Destiny."  PLEASE.  The Cardinals have the "Nobody Believed in Us" mojo going BIGTIME right now.  They're playing like men possessed.  The Cardinals are also going to be playing at home.  This game sold out in six minutes.  The Nest will be deafening today.  Cards fans are hungry.  The Eagles won't be able to hear themselves think.
 Are the Cards ready to deliver to a fanbase that has been tortured for two decades?

There's also the vengeance factor.  The Cardinals were EMBARRASSED by the Eagles on Thanksgiving Night.  It's payback time.

Plus, like Bill Simmons said in his column for this weekend, don't bet against God and Puppies.

Advantage: Cardinals

Prediction:  Cardinals in a close one.

There will be a running diary for this game.  Check back tomorrow.  Until then...

GO CARDINALS!!!