The Eagles defense probably felt very comfortable with what Kurt Warner and the Cardinals might try to do in the NFC Championship game, particularly since they whupped them on Thanksgiving, 48-20.
What Philadelphia probably didn't expect, however, was that Ken Whisenhunt would dig deep into the Steelers' playbook. But that's exactly what happened on Arizona's first possession of the second quarter. Warner took the snap, handed off to J.J. Arrington. Arrington ran right, then turned and threw a backward pass to Warner, who promptly heaved a bomb to Larry Fitzgerald. Sixty-two yards later, Fitzgerald was in the end zone and the Cardinals were up 14-3.
Three years ago in the AFC Wild Card game, when Whisenhunt was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator, he called virtually the same play (roughly 1:45 in), except Ben Roethlisberger handed off to Antwaan Randle El, and Cedrick Wilson was the beneficiary of a long pass.
Next thing you know, everybody's doing it.
With
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Philadelphia Eagles fan Nicole McFadden chews on a necklace while watching the broadcast of the NFC championship NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Eagles, Sunday Jan. 18, 2009, at a sports bar in northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek)
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Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, right, carries the ball as Philadelphia Eagles safety Quintin Demps defends during the first half of the NFL NFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Philadelphia Eagles receiver Kevin Curtis (L) makes a long run after catching a pass in the second quarter as Arizona Cardinals defender Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pursues him in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)
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Eagles' fan Becky Gottlieb, left, and Kelly Eddinger, react while watching the NFC Championship game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday Jan. 18, 2009, at a sports bar in northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
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Pittsburgh Steelers fan Rich Cassarino demonstrates his support outside Heinz Field in Pittsburgh before the NFL AFC Championship football game agianst the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Eagles' fan's Megan Pytko, center, and John Hansen, right, react while watching the NFC Championship game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday Jan. 18, 2009, at a sports bar in northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Fitzgerald
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Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald catches a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Jon Willey (UNITED STATES)
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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs into the endzone to score a 62-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Fitzgerald
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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates with teammate Reggie Wells #74 after Fitzgerald scored a 62-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Fitzgerald;Reggie Wells
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-18-2009 @ 4:42PM
djl said...
Cards will have there way with the Eagles today...
Reply