PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- An overtime victory at Veterans Stadium last December started a season-ending three-game winning streak which propelled the Arizona Cardinals into the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.

After missing a 34-yarder at the end of regulation, Chris Jacke kicked a 32-yard field goal 4 1/2 minutes into overtime to give the Cardinals a 20-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on December 13. The Cardinals then went on to beat New Orleans and San Diego and finished as the third wild card in the NFC.

Arizona pulled off a stunning 20-7 win at Dallas in the wild card round before falling to Minnesota. So after recording a postseason win for the first time since 1947 when the franchise was based in Chicago, the Cardinals come into the 1999 season with high expectations.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are coming off a season in which they lost the most games in franchise history and fired coach Ray Rhodes. After managing a pathetic total of 17 touchdowns last year, less than half the NFL average, the Eagles turned to Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Andy Reid to run the show.

Today, Reid will make his head coaching debut on any level when the Eagles host the Cardinals. One of Reid's first moves as coach was to sign Doug Pederson, a career backup quarterback in Green Bay, to a three-year, $4.5 million contract.

Pederson, who was unimpressive in the preseason, will make his first career start today. But the foundation of Reid's rebuilding program in Philadelphia is quarterback Donovan McNabb, the second overall pick in the 1999 draft who signed a seven-year contract worth about $50 million. If Pederson struggles today, Reid has said he will not hesitate to use McNabb.

The Cardinals have won the last three meetings from the Eagles, sweeping them last year for the first time since 1984.

Adrian Murrell rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cardinals to a 17-3 win over the Eagles last September 20 in Arizona.

The Cardinals rewarded their quarterback Jake Plummer with a four-year, $29.7 million contract, which included a record signing bonus of $15 million last December. Behind Plummer's clutch play, the Cardinals were 7-1 in games decided by three points or less last year. In his first 26 games, Plummer has directed eight comeback victories.

Plummer missed the final two preseason games with a sprained right thumb, but is expected to play today. Dave Brown is the backup quarterback.

Arizona finally signed receiver Rob Moore to a one-year tender on Thursday. Moore had 67 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns last season.

The Cardinals will definitely be without star defensive tackle Eric Swann, who underwent two operations on his right knee in the offseason. Swann is expected to miss the first six weeks.

ARIZONA Season schedule and results

PHILADELPHIA Season schedule and results

September 12 @Philadelphia 1:00pm ET September 19 @Miami 1:00pm ET September 27 San Francisco 9:00pm ET October 3 @Dallas 1:00pm ET October 10 NY Giants 4:05pm ET October 17 Washington 8:20pm ET October 31 New England 4:05pm ET November 7 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET November 14 Detroit 4:15pm ET November 21 Dallas 4:15pm ET November 28 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET December 5 Philadelphia 4:05pm ET December 12 @Washington 1:00pm ET December 19 Buffalo 8:20pm ET December 26 @Atlanta 1:00pm ET January 2 @Green Bay 1:00pm ET

September 12 Arizona 1:00pm ET September 19 Tampa Bay 1:00pm ET September 26 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET October 3 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET October 10 Dallas 1:00pm ET October 17 @Chicago 1:00pm ET October 24 @Miami 1:00pm ET October 31 NY Giants 1:00pm ET November 7 @Carolina 1:00pm ET November 14 Washington 1:00pm ET November 21 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 28 @Washington 1:00pm ET December 5 @Arizona 4:05pm ET December 12 @Dallas 1:00pm ET December 19 New England 1:00pm ET January 2 St. Louis 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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