Eagles PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 35-31 loss to Cardinals

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17

The Eagles no longer control their destiny for the No. 2 overall seed and NFC East after a 35-31 loss to the Cardinals at home.

In Jonathan Gannon’s return to Philadelphia, Arizona rushed for 221 yards, with James Conner logging 26 carries for 128 yards and one touchdown.

The Cardinals’ win put the Cowboys in the No. 2 seed entering Week 18, and a victory over Washington would give Dallas the NFC East.

With fans and pundits outraged by the loss, we’re looking at the highest and lowest-graded players via PFF. 

NFC playoff picture: Eagles fall behind Cowboys after shocking loss to Cardinals

We’re looking at an updated NFC playoff picture after the Philadelphia Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to Arizona Cardinals

The Eagles entered Sunday controlling their own destiny in the NFC, while still having opportunity to move up as far as No. 1 with help.

That plan was demolished, as Arizona upset Philadelphia 35-31 at Lincoln Financial Field, upending the NFC race, while sending Nick Sirianni’s team to the No. 5 seed, and a date on the road against the NFC South’s division winner.

With fans and pundits in shock, here’s an updated look at the NFC playoff picture.

National reaction to Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to the Cardinals in Week 17

We’re looking at the national reaction of the Philadelphia Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 17

In what can only be described as a shocking performance, the Eagles no longer control their destiny after a 35-31 loss to the Cardinals at home.

In Jonathan Gannon’s return to Philadelphia, Arizona rushed for 221 yards, with James Conner logging 26 physical carries for 128 yards and one touchdown.

The Cardinals’ win put the Cowboys in the No. 2 seed entering Week 18, and a victory over Washington would give Dallas the NFC East.

With the outcome now final, here’s the national reaction to the Eagles’ stunning collapse.

Eagles vs. Cardinals: 10 players to watch in Week 17 matchup

We’re looking at ten players to watch when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 17 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles (11-4) are just three hours away from hosting the Cardinals (3-12) on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in an intriguing matchup that’ll see Jonathan Gannon return to Philadelphia for the first time since the Super Bowl 57 loss to Kansas City.

There are several vital storylines and matchups to watch, while the quarterback battle will feature two dual-threat stars in Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.

With pregame warmups set to begin, we’re looking at ten players to watch on both team.

Eagles announce 3 roster moves ahead of matchup vs. Cardinals

The Philadelphia Eagles activated cornerback Avonte Maddox ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals

The Eagles are getting healthier and one of their most important defenders is returning to the lineup, as Avonte Maddox has been activated from injured reserve.

Philadelphia elevated linebacker Brandon Smith from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game, and placed tight end Albert Okwuegbunam on Injured Reserve.

Last season, Maddox had 43 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three passes defended and one interception.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Maddox has played six seasons for the Eagles, amassing 188 solo tackles, 58 assists, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions.

3 keys for Eagles offense vs. Cardinals defense in Week 17

We’re looking at 3 keys for the Philadelphia Eagles offense vs. Arizona Cardinals defense in Week 17

The Eagles (11-4) host the Cardinals (3-12) on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in an intriguing matchup that’ll see Jonathan Gannon return to Philadelphia for the first time since the Super Bowl 57 loss to Kansas City.

There are several vital storylines and matchups to watch, while the quarterback battle will feature two dual-threat stars in Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.

With kickoff less than 24 hours away, here are three keys for the Eagles offense against the Cardinal’s defense.

Jonathan Gannon expects CB Kei’Trel Clark to get back into the defensive rotation

“He’ll be back in the mix. There’s only so many guys that get a jersey on gameday, you have to have a role to be up like the other guys this week.”

When the Arizona Cardinals released their inactive list on Sunday for their game against the Baltimore Ravens, there was a notable player — rookie cornerback Kei’Trel Clark. He was a healthy scratch and didn’t even get to suit up.

It was the second week in a row he did not play. In Seattle, he was active but did not log a single snap.

While it would appear he is in head coach Jonathan Gannon’s doghouse, comments made by the head coach suggest that it is, at worst, a temporary situation.

“I like the other guys, what they’re doing right now,” Gannon said after the game on Sunday. “They all had a good week of practice, and he’ll be back in the mix. There’s only so many guys that get a jersey on gameday, you have to have a role to be up like the other guys this week.”

Clark won the starting job opposite Marco Wilson coming out of the preseason.

After playing almost every defensive snap for the first four games, he saw his playing time decrease until last week he suited up but did not play at all and yesterday he was not even active.

Gannon has praised Clark’s mentality and ability to bounce back from adversity. We will see over the next few weeks if he can climb his way back into the defensive rotation.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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4 surprise benchings for the Cardinals in Week 7

Four players we expected to see in the starting lineup on Sunday either only played special teams or did not play at all.

The Arizona Cardinals had a few lineup changes in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. They had 66 offensive snaps and 60 defensive snaps, and we went over the snap counts.

There were four notable players we expected to see in the starting lineup who did not end up playing at all. All four were healthy and active for the game.

Let’s see who they were.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Christian McCaffrey hurdles Cardinals rookie Kei’Trel Clark on touchdown run

Christian McCaffrey continues to do it all for the 49ers

Arizona Cardinals rookie DB Kei’Trel Clark learned a rough lesson on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers:

Christian McCaffrey can make you look foolish.

The great 49ers back took a backward pass from Brock Purdy and ran 18 yards for his second touchdown of the game.

En route to paydirt, Clark decided to take on McCaffrey, who simply hurdled the rookie and sauntered into the end zone.

LeBron James was wowed.

Giants vs. Cardinals: 5 things to know about Week 2

The New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals square off on Sunday afternoon in Week 2, so here are five things fans should know.

The New York Giants (0-1) head out to the desert to face the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) this Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium.

Here are five things to know before the Week 2 game.