The last two weeks a fingernail clipper is the last thing you’ve needed if you live and die with the Philadelphia Eagles. Those fingernails have been chewed down to the nub as you’ve watched the Eagles win their last two games on a last-second field goal and the next week have to hang on as they ran out the last six minutes and change.

Last-second field goals and running out the clock might be enough to beat winless teams like the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Chargers, but this week the Arizona Cardinals pay a visit to Lincoln Financial Field for a 1 p.m. contest.

Expect a bruising, knock down drag out type of game from these two teams. A few fans might think its the early 90’s all over again as players got leveled and gang-tackled in a way that is not often seen. The Cardinals might not be as good as they once were, but they’re every bit as tough as they ever were. Doug Pedersen, Eagles’ second-year  head coach, is well aware of the formidable opponent the Cardinals (2-2) are.

At the same time, Bruce Arians, the veteran Cardinals’ head coach, has emphasized all week to his coaches the team has to be ready come Sunday. Both coaches understand the importance of a team being up for the challenge from one week to the next, regardless of how good of a week they’ve had in practice. The good week of practice is forgotten about so quickly if your team is not emotionally and mentally prepared to play. In the NFL, a favored team may be ready to play before they’re supposed to be ready. Then come game time they are flat as an ironing board. An upset is waiting in the wings when that happens and the favored team is dealt with a loss.

This could be a turning point type of game for the Eagles (3-1). They have a game lead in the NFC East over Washington and Dallas, both 2-2. If they win, they’ll go to a one-and-a-half  game lead over the Redskins, because they have a bye this week, and at least stay a game ahead of the Cowboys who host Green Bay.

The Eagles are favored but not by much. The Cardinals are getting six points but also realize the Eagles are once again going to miss the services of defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and running back Wendell Smallwood may be out as well with a knee injury.

After the Cardinals, the Eagles are on Thursday night football when they travel to Carolina.