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3 Reasons Why The Eagles Will Beat The Cardinals

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Nobody in their right mind expects the 6-7 Philadelphia Eagles to beat the 11-2 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night.

But it's football, and you just never know. Plus, having hope is simply more fun, if you ask me.

So here are three key reasons why the Birds can -- no, excuse me -- will beat the Cards on Sunday night.

3. The environment

Carolina Panthers v Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

It's going to be 35 degrees with winds up to 10 MPH! OK fine, it's not the frozen tundra or anything, but the Cardinals are flying 2,000+ miles to play in a hostile, uncomfortable, and cold environment. Do you know what is difficult to do in cold, brisk weather?

Throw the football.

The Eagles are winners of two straight and the fans can smell blood in the NFC East. Furthermore, the Birds will be donning their all black uni's (2-1 with them). Chip Kelly's Eagles have been pretty good at home in primetime games -- especially of late. Just ask Eli Manning.

2. Arizona's RB situation

David Johnson
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Speaking of throwing the ball...

...Arizona has the No. 1 offense in the league (417.5 yards/game), but they love to throw the ball (299.1 pass yards/game, 3rd in NFL) and they feast on big plays (Carson Palmer 1st in NFL averaging 8.84 yards/attempt).

Starting RB Chris Johnson injured himself in Week 12 and will miss the remainder of the season. RB Andre Ellington has missed the last two games with a toe injury and is questionable this week. Rookie RB David Johnson is all that remains for the Cards, and while he's a very talented back, he's still a rookie against a tough Eagles' front (see: last two games Cox, Fletcher) in a hostile environment.

1. Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

As I've already mentioned, Palmer leads the league in yards per attempt. They like to throw the ball down the field. They take risk and it's paid for the Cardinals, so far.

However, this will be his first cold weather game of the season. Palmer also holds the ball a little bit longer to allow for his receivers to get down the field.

Another thing is, Palmer hasn't throw an interception in three straight games. I know what you're thinking: How the heck is that a good thing for the Eagles?

Ebb and flow baby! Over the course of his career, Palmer throws picks. In fact, he's never thrown less than 12 interceptions in a year he's played in all 16 games. He's thrown 20+ INT's in three of his six full 16-game seasons. This year, Palmer has just nine picks in 13 games. But before his recent three game surge where he's throw for 4 TDs-0 INT's against the terrible Niners, the below-average Rams, and meh Vikings, Palmer threw at least one interception in every game except two.

AND (no, I'm not done) the Eagles have the 5th most interceptions this season, with 15. Did somebody say Byron Maxwell pick-six?!

 

Look, I'm not saying it's necessarily going to happen. All I'm saying it, don't be shocked when it does.

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