PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks didn't let a 23-point loss to the Arizona Cardinals or subpar performance personally stop him from talking smack about Saturday's game against the Washington Redskins that could decide the NFC East division race.

"Just keep working," Kendricks said after Sunday night's 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. "That's the cliche, cookie-cutter answer, but it's the truth. We just have to keep working.

"I mean, if I know this team and I know myself and the guys in here, man, the Redskins have something coming to them. For real. That's real [crap]. That's all I have to say about that."

After the Redskins toppled the Buffalo Bills, 35-25, Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field, Saturday night's game at Lincoln Financial Field will eliminate the Eagles from playoff contention or leave them primed to capture the division title in Week 17 at MetLife Stadium against the Giants.

Kendricks finished Sunday's 40-17 loss with eight tackles but was victimized on several big runs by Cardinals' running back David Johnson.

For a team that has struggled to find consistency this season and is fresh off its third game in which the defense allowed 40 or more points, Kendricks' words ring hollow. And they also seem silly, given that the Redskins -- who can win the division with a victory -- appear to be peaking.

THE NO-HUDDLE SHOW, Ep. 21: DeMarco Murray gets exiled as Eagles get crushed

We've said for a few weeks now the Eagles' season would come down to the final two games, and that's where we are -- with or without the $42M running back playing. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook