Eagles Do It With Defense : NFC: Cardinals get seven shots inside the three and fail to score in 7-3 loss.

Phoenix Coach Joe Bugel couldn’t believe it. “Cripes, seven shots and we don’t get it in,” he said, the frustration obvious in his tone.

With Philadelphia called three times for offsides, the Cardinals got seven plays inside the three-yard line during a second-quarter series and didn’t score, enabling the Eagles to end a two-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory Sunday.

While Bugel was frustrated, Philadelphia Coach Rich Kotite had a different viewpoint.

“What you saw out there was, I think, the best defense I’ve ever seen,” he said. “It was magnificent. I’ve never seen any better.”

Said Mike Golic, Eagle defensive tackle: “It felt like we were out there on defense forever. Eleven guys just did a hell of a job stuffing them. I was really surprised they kept running the ball and didn’t try play action or spread our defense.

“They were so close to the goal line I guess they thought they’d just fall into the end zone. They kept hammering and we kept stuffing.”

It started after Phoenix’s Aeneas Williams intercepted a pass and returned it to the Philadelphia three.

Johnny Bailey ran to the one. Six plays later, after four leaps by Bailey and two quarterback sneaks by Chris Chandler, the Eagles took over.

A fumble recovery by linebacker Seth Joyner later in the second quarter initiated the Eagles’ winning touchdown drive. The Eagles took over at the 50 when Larry Centers fumbled after an 11-yard gain.

Heath Sherman, playing in place of injured Keith Byars, gained 11 yards in two runs for a first down at the Phoenix 39.

Two plays later, from the 40, Randall Cunningham connected with Calvin Williams, who caught the ball at the 11 and went untouched into the end zone.

On the next series, the Cardinals, with the help of a 34-yard pass play from Chandler to Bailey, moved to a first down at the Eagle 29. On third down, Chandler passed 13 yards to Randal Hill, who fumbled to the one, where the Eagles recovered.

On its first series of the third quarter, Phoenix moved to a first down at the Eagle 12. But Greg Davis missed a 24-yard field-goal attempt.

Ruzek also missed from 42 yards later in the third quarter.

Phoenix broke the shutout 17 seconds into the fourth quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Davis.

The Eagles prevailed despite the absence of five starters--tackles Ron Heller and Antone Davis, Byars and defensive backs Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins. Rich Miano and John Booty, who started in place of Waters and Hopkins, had fumble recoveries.

The Cardinal defense, the weak link in the team’s 1-6 start, played well against the Eagles, sacking Cunningham five times and intercepting one of his passes. Cunningham has been sacked 16 times in three games.

Cunningham completed only nine of 20 passes for 121 yards. But Herschel Walker, limited to eight yards in seven carries in the previous week’s loss to Washington, carried 20 times for 112 yards.

For the Cardinals, Chandler was eight for 16 for 118 yards before being knocked dizzy in the third quarter. Timm Rosenbach, in his first appearance since being injured in the second game, was six for 13 for only 45 yards.