Birds Battle in Desert Duel

The Cardinals have a five-game winning streak against the Eagles going into Sunday`s game before what promises to be a sparse crowd at Sun Devil Stadium. Not that it`s been easy.

The last three Arizona victories were by three points, four points and one point. Jake Plummer`s come-from-behind reputation largely was built against Philadelphia. Of the 12 times Plummer has rallied the Cardinals from a fourth-quarter tie or deficit to victory, four have been against the Eagles.

The last time the teams met, Plummer directed two touchdown drives in the final 4« minutes for a 24-17 Arizona victory. "Since I`ve been here, every game`s been pretty close _ a last-minute finish, whether it`s overtime or a last-minute play," Plummer said, "and we`ve had some success lately coming back in the fourth quarter.

"They`re going to be pretty mad about that, I`m sure, because of last year. We know at least we`ve planted the seed in their mind that they`re going to have to finish us if they want to beat us."

The Eagles will have to do it without running back Duce Staley, out for the season with a foot injury. Darnell Autry, who graduated from nearby Tempe High School, will start at running back for Philadelphia, with recently signed Amp Lee, Brian Mitchell, Stanley Pritchett and Cecil Martin also available.

"I look at it as the guys we have on this team who were backing up Duce can fill in and definitely help out our team," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "Duce played a major part in it and we all know it, but I think if we just spread the ball around and get everyone involved, then it will take the pressure off all those guys and we can get back on track."

McNabb is trying to shrug off the awful pass that resulted in a last-minute interception, setting up Washington`s winning field goal in last week`s 17-14 loss to the Redskins. "I can say now that I`ve learned from it and it won`t happen again," he said.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said it`s all part of the development of a young quarterback.

"I think it`s important that he understands he has the support of the coaches," Reid said. "I do know one thing for sure: If you have a quarterback who is hesitant in the National Football League and is afraid to pull the trigger, you might as well get rid of him.

"You`d better have a guy who is resilient to those type of situations. If he throws an interception, you get back on the horse and let`s go. Keep playing, learn from it and keep moving."

Michael Pittman will get his second consecutive start at running back for Arizona after gaining 107 yards in 16 carries in last week`s 29-21 victory over Cleveland. The performance helped Arizona move up from 30th in NFL rushing to 23rd.

Plummer, who`s been sacked just five times this season and has gone two games without an interception for the first time in his NFL career, expects pressure from the Eagles` strong defense, led by Hugh Douglas and rookie Corey Simon.

Philadelphia will have free safety Brian Dawkins back for the first time since he underwent an appendectomy on Sept. 19.

Not a whole lot of people will see the game in person. About half of the 73,000 tickets remained unsold three days before the game.

Both teams need a victory to stay close in what is, as usual, a tight NFC East race.

"Division opponents know each other so well," Arizona coach Vince Tobin said. "They`re always very, very physical contests, because I think we`ve got a very physical division. Philadelphia is certainly in that mix. They`re very strong up front on their defensive line. They`re very athletic in the secondary."

Arizona would pull to 3-3 with a victory. Philadelphia would go to 4-3.

"It`ll really put us back in the hunt," Douglas said. "It`s a real big game, another division game. We have to start fast and finish strong."

(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: AP