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3 Things: Eagles Vs. Cardinals

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Cardinals host the Eagles next Sunday in a huge NFC matchup between two 5-1 teams. Both the Birds and the Cards enter with two-game win streaks, although the Eagles are coming off their bye week.

Here are three crucial aspects of Sunday's 4:05pm E.T. NFC clash between the Eagles and Cardinals.

 

3. ARZ WRs vs. PHI CBs

San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals

The Eagles outside corners, Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, have struggled in their first six games this season. In a tough matchup on the road, the Cardinals posses two athletic, 6'3" wideouts in Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. While Fitzgerald, 31, looks to have his best days behind him, Floyd, 24, is emerging as a new dominant outside threat for the Cards.

Williams and Fletcher will have their hands full.

2. Arizona has the best rushing defense, but second-to-worst passing defense in the NFL

Arizona Cardinals v Denver Broncos
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 5: Tight end Julius Thomas #80 of the Denver Broncos catches a pass from Peyton Manning #18 (not pictured) in what would be Manning's 500th career touchdown pass int he first quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 5, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Cardinals are giving up a league best 72.5 yards per game on the ground, but about 285 yards per game in the air, 31st in the NFL. The conclusion? You can throw on the Cards. With Nick Foles critics putting pressure on the third-year QB, this looks like a good matchup for Foles and the Eagles' passing attack.

First Look: Eagles vs. Cardinals

1. Turnover battle

Foles Black Jersey
(Photo credit: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Winning the turnover battle is arguably the most important aspect of a football game, but don't tell the Eagles that. Their negative five turnover differential through six games is fifth worst in the NFL. Furthermore, the Birds are the only above .500 team in the red in the turnover differential category.

Conversely, the Cardinals' turnover differential is plus-seven, third best in the NFL. Carson Palmer is actually, uncharacteristically, taking care of the football and Nick Foles is not. Foles has seven picks and three fumbles lost in five games.

With the Cards' bad passing defense, the Eagles banged up backfield and o-line, you can expect Foles and the Eagles to be throwing early and often. The question is for Foles and the Eagles, just how many---if any---of those passes will caught by the other team.

 

Early line: Eagles +3 at Cardinals per Bovada.LV

 

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