Carolina at Philadelphia.(NFC championship game matchup)

When the Panthers have the ball: With or without Stephen Davis (quadriceps injury), the plan will be to run the ball against an Eagles defense that was 22nd against the run this season and allowed 210 yards in last week's victory over Green Bay. The Eagles are so depleted along the defensive line that it has become nearly impossible to protect undersized LBs Mark Simoneau and Hate Wayne, as well as SLB Ike Reese, who is filling in for the injured Carlos Emmons. But the Panthers won't be able to expose the Eagles' run defense as much with backup RB DeShaun Foster. WR Steve Smith is dangerous, but CB Bobby Taylor will take WR Muhsin Muhammad out of the game, and the Panthers don't have a weapon at right end who demands deep respect. Eventually, the Eagles' blitz-crazy scheme will get to QB Jake Delhomme.

Key matchup: Smith vs. Philadelphia CB Sheldon Brown. Brown, who played in place of Troy Vincent (hip) last week, is the least experienced of the Eagles' cornerbacks. Brown will see plenty of action even if Vincent returns, both in a rotation with Vincent and in the team's nickel package, so look for the Panthers to motion Smith around and line him up all over the field in order to get this mismatch. Smith has developed into one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. He has the speed to get over the top of Brown on routes and the elusiveness to make Brown miss after the catch.

When the Eagles have the ball: The Eagles will use many one-back sets with either three receivers and one right end or two receivers and two right ends. But they won't be as effective without injured RB Brian Westbrook, who is a smoother receiver with better quickness and elusiveness after the catch than both Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter. The Eagles will try to neutralize the Panthers' fierce pass rush, especially DEs Julius ...