The Eagles head west to Sun Devil Stadium as the Cardinals are in position to sweep this longtime divisional rivalry for the second straight year.

Back on opening day at Veterans Stadium (Week 1), Philadelphia jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead thanks to a pair of scores from Eagles RB Duce Staley (24-yard run, 3-yard reception) and QB Doug Pederson's second TD pass of the game (15 yards to TE Luther Broughton). But Cardinals QB Jake Plummer shook off three interceptions and brought the Cardinals all the way back, his 20-yard touchdown pass to WR Rob Moore with 4:03 to play bringing his team to within 25-22. But it was Pederson's second interception of the day (by Cardinals FS Kwamie Lassiter) that set up Cardinals' PK Chris Jacke's fourth field goal of the afternoon, a 31-yard boot on the final play of the contest to give Arizona an improbable 25-24 triumph.

Including playoffs, the Cardinals have now forged a two-game lead in the standings (51-49-5) thanks to four straight victories in this series, their longest string of success in this setting since winning five in a row from Philadelphia from 1982-84.

As for the Eagles' last appearance at Sun Devil Stadium (Week 3 of '98), these foul fowl played to a scoreless tie after three quarters before the Cardinals overcame a brief 3-0 Philadelphia advantage with 17 unanswered points in the final 13 minutes for a 17-3 Sunday night (ESPN) victory.

While the Eagles are 6-5 lifetime at Arizona dating back to the Cardinals' arrival in Tempe in 1988, Philadelphia has lost three straight and are 1-5 in their last six trips to Sun Devil Stadium dating back to 1993.

Numbers: After scoring 21 points (3 offensive touchdowns) in the first quarter in Week 1 vs. the Cardinals, the Eagles have scored just 159 points in their last 47 quarters in '99 and have scored just 11 offensive touchdowns in their last 47 quarters. The Eagles have allowed 163 sacks in their last 44 games (1997-99). They have been limited to 17 or fewer points in 24 of their 28 contests dating back to '98. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 21 of their last 28 contests dating back to '98. The Eagles have forced 29 turnovers in 12 games in '99, this after totaling an NFL-low 17 takeaways in 16 games in '98. The Eagles have totaled 19 interceptions in 12 games in '99, this after totaling just nine interceptions in 16 games in '98. They have forced two or more turnovers in 8-of-12 contests in '99. They have allowed 192 points in 12 wins (16.0 avg.), 800 points in 31 losses and a tie (25.0 avg.) dating back to '97.

Including playoffs, the Cardinals have forced 42 turnovers in 15 wins, but have just 21 takeaways in 14 losses dating back to '98. Including playoffs, Jake Plummer has thrown 18 touchdown passes (plus rushed for 3 scores) and 27 interceptions in his last 18 games (9-8 as starter) dating back to '98, this after throwing just six TD passes and 11 interceptions (plus rushed for 1 score) in his first seven games (3-4) in '98. The Cardinals have been outscored a combined 83-9 in the first quarter in 11 games in '99.

Things to look for: With a three-game winning streak and off their first sweep of the Giants in 20 years, the revitalized Cardinals are back in the NFC East race as QB Jake Plummer comes off his best half of football in '99. But Vince Tobin's team can't look past the pesky Eagles, who have shown new life under rookie QB Donovan McNabb. Arizona's defensive front will be the difference in another close contest.

Etc.: The Eagles have lost three straight road games and are 1-20-1 in their last 22 regular-season road games dating back to '97 (1-21-1, including the 1996 NFC Wild Card Game at San Francisco). PK Norm Johnson has converted an NFL-record 290 consecutive PATs. The Cardinals have won three straight games.

The Cardinals are just 21-26 at home vs. NFC East competition (2-1 in '99) since moving to Sun Devil Stadium in 1988. WR Rob Moore (9,254) needs 21 yards to tie Raymond Berry (9,275) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.