NFL Football
2012-09-23 - Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NFL Football Week 3
Sunday 23 September 2012 - Kick Off 4:05pm
9:05pm (British Time)
Preview
This is a big game between two unbeaten NFC teams as the Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) and Michael Vick head West to face the Arizona Cardinals (2-0) and Kevin Kolb who was traded out of Philadelphia because of Vick. Both have reached their unbeaten records in different ways as the Eagles were favoured in both games but have won them by a combined 2 points, while the Cardinals were dogged and pulled a couple of upsets.
The biggest upset that is likely to happen in this whole season is the one Arizona sprung on New England last week in Foxboro but that might just have built some confidence in Kolb who is the starting Quarter Back thanks to the injury suffered by John Skelton.
Kolb is going to have to be at his best as the Philadelphia passing Defense has been pretty solid so far this season and they have a couple of players in the Secondary that will fancy their chances of keeping tabs on Larry Fitzgerald.
However, Kolb may not have all the pressure on his shoulders as the Eagles have struggled to stop the run this season and are giving up 4.9 yards per carry. The question is whether Arizona can actually take advantage of this as they have struggled to run the ball this season, while Ryan Williams almost cost Arizona the win in New England by fumbling the ball inside the last two minutes.
On the other side of the ball, Michael Vick is going to be feeling some pressure this week against a Defense that gave Tom Brady some serious problems last week. Vick has been turning the ball over a lot in the early going, if he has come out big in the final few minutes of games to earn the win.
Arizona are getting a lot of pressure on opposing Quarter Backs in their opening two games and the Eagles Offensive Line has had some real issues in protecting Vick. Jeremy Maclin will be missing for Philadelphia so that will make it that much tougher for them to move the chains through the air.
Even LeSean McCoy may struggle to find running room against an Arizona Defense that is allowing 3.4 yards per carry so far this season. The Eagles do have a tendency to move away from running the ball in games so they may have a difficult time moving the chains consistently in this one as they have early in the season.
Head to Head
Arizona beat Philadelphia on the road last season as the 13.5 point underdog and they are now 3-1 against them both straight up and against the spread.
The Cardinals have won their last 2 home games against the Eagles.
Other Interesting Trends
Arizona are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 games.
They are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 home games.
Prediction
I am going to back the Arizona Cardinals with the points in this one for the following reasons:
First, I think Kevin Kolb may just have a big game here as he looks to show his former team what they are missing when they decided to trade him away and go with Michael Vick.
Second, the Eagles look a touch over-rated here considering all the problems they have had early in the season and they are a fortunate 2-0 as they could easily have lost both games they have won.
Third, Philadelphia have a long trip out West for this game and I am not sure how focused they will be on the game considering they have the New York Giants in a huge game next on their schedule, while Arizona should be fully focused as they host the Miami Dolphins here next week.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arizona Cardinals 16-13 Philadelphia Eagles
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Arizona Cardinals +3 Points @ 2.05
