Eagles Pull Out Surprising Win Over Cardinals

In the most surprising result of today's Thanksgiving football feast, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Arizona Cardinals 48-20 in Philadelphia tonight. With the win, the 6-5-1 Eagles kept their scant playoff hopes alive. The Cards fell to 7-5 and did not put themselves in a position to clinch the NFC West.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The Cardinals, who lead their division and have an MVP-candidate quarterback in Kurt Warner, were supposed to win easily in Philadelphia. The Eagles were in turmoil. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was benched in his last game. Running back Brian Westbrook always seemed to be battling injuries. Andy Reid's job was called for by one of his former players. The Eagles would be a mess, and the Cardinals would come into would take advantage of them.

Somebody forgot to tell the Eagles. Instead of falling apart, they played inspired football. McNabb responded like a professional to his benching and played the best game of his season, throwing four touchdown passes. He threw for 260 yards, spreading passes around seven receivers. Westbrook scored four touchdowns, two of them passes from McNabb, and racked up 110 yards. Philadelphia won the battle of field position, as well, earning 32 first downs to Arizona's 12.

Warner had a decidedly least valuable game. He threw for three touchdowns but also threw three interceptions. He wasn't the only Cardinal giving up the football as wide receiver Anquan Boldin fumbled twice. The Cardinals' defense also looked a mess tonight, only sacking McNabb once and not forcing any turnovers.

McNabb changed many minds with his performance tonight. The calls for him to be traded were instantly quelled. The fans who booed him last week chanted his name after the game. McNabb showed that he is still a marquee quarterback in the NFL.

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