Cardinals vs Eagles
The 2008 NFC Championship: Cardinals shock the Eagles, reach first Super Bowl.
The Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles have met in the playoffs, most notably in the 2008 NFC Championship Game, which the Cardinals won 32–25 to advance to Super Bowl XLIII.
Quick Facts
- Relationship
- Long-standing Divisional Rivalry (NFC East vs NFC West)
- Historical connection
- Both franchises trace roots to pre-1920s era
- Key era
- 1975–1986 NFC East dominance by Eagles; Cardinals' 1940s glory
- Playoff significance
- Determines divisional standings and wild-card seeding
- Fandom sentiment
- High intensity, often called 'The Rivalry of the Century'
- Notable venue impact
- Games in Philadelphia and Arizona draw massive national attention
Lore & Background
The 2008 NFC Championship Game was not the first time the Cardinals hosted a conference championship game since 1947; the Cardinals (then in St. Louis) hosted the 1975 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals, as the number-four seed, defeated the Eagles after Philadelphia upset the top-seeded New York Giants in the Divisional round. The Cardinals' victory marked their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
Reader's Guide
The Cardinals' 2008 playoff run began with a wild card win over the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a road upset of the second-seeded Carolina Panthers. They then hosted the NFC Championship against the Eagles, whom they defeated to reach Super Bowl XLIII.
Did You Know?
- The Cardinals' 2008 season was not their first winning season in 10 years; they had a 9–7 record in 2007, the season before 2008.
- The Cardinals swept their division (NFC West) for the first time in franchise history in 2008.
- The 2008 Cardinals were not the second 9–7 team to reach the Super Bowl; the 2007 New York Giants also finished 9–7, making the Cardinals the third such team.
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