Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview
This Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, the Carolina Panthers will head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in a matchup featuring teams with contrasting records. The Panthers currently sit at 3-9, while the Eagles boast a solid 10-2 record. According to BetMGM, the Eagles are favored by 12.5 points heading into this game. The Eagles have performed well against the spread, with an 8-4 record, compared to the Panthers’ 5-7.
Historically, Philadelphia leads the series with an 8-4 record against Carolina. Their last encounter occurred on October 10, 2021, where the Eagles came from behind to secure a 21-18 victory at home, thanks to Jalen Hurts who threw for 198 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.
Last week proved challenging for the Panthers, who fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-23 in an overtime contest at home. Conversely, the Eagles extended their winning streak to eight games by edging out the Baltimore Ravens 24-19. Evaluating the teams, the Panthers’ offense is struggling statistically, ranked 30th overall, 24th in rushing, and 29th in passing offenses. They also sit at a lowly 30th in scoring.
On defense, Carolina has struggled significantly, ranking 31st overall, 32nd against the run, 24th against the pass, and 32nd in scoring defense. Meanwhile, the Eagles flaunt a top-four offense, ranking 4th overall, 1st in rushing, and 7th in scoring. In contrast, their defense is impressive, leading the league in several categories including overall defense and scoring defense.
A key player for the Panthers to watch is rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who has made a positive turnaround since being benched early in the season. Since returning in Week 8, he has thrown for 1,062 yards, totaling six touchdowns against three interceptions. Last week, he played well against Tampa Bay, completing 26 of 46 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown, in addition to scoring a rushing TD.
For the Eagles, running back Saquon Barkley has been a force to be reckoned with. As they enter Week 14, he leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,499 and ranks third with 11 rushing touchdowns. He is on track to challenge LeSean McCoy’s franchise record for rushing yards in a single season. Barkley has proven difficult to contain, particularly as the Eagles have the league’s top rushing offense.
The matchup between Barkley and the Panthers’ defense is critical. Carolina’s defense has struggled notably against the run, giving up an average of 166.8 rushing yards per game. Last week, they allowed Bucky Irving of Tampa Bay to rush for 152 yards, contributing to a total of 236 rushing yards against them. Now, they must face Barkley, who presents significant challenges on the ground.
In terms of injuries, the Panthers have concerns with linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who missed practice due to a knee issue. Several other players were limited, including tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and cornerback Caleb Farley. For the Eagles, wide receiver DeVonta Smith is returning from a hamstring injury, while tight end Dallas Goedert and others remain sidelined due to various injuries.
The Eagles and Panthers have had a long-standing history, with Philadelphia winning 67% of the regular-season matchups. Notably, they suffered a crucial defeat in the 2004 NFC Championship game where they lost 14-3 at home to Carolina.
In terms of individual performances, Panthers’ running back Chuba Hubbard recently set a personal record for rushing yards this season, now totaling 919. Wide receiver Adam Thielen continues to be a reliable target and recently registered eight receptions against Tampa Bay. The Panthers also have only converted three of their last ten red zone opportunities. Moreover, they have recorded 15 sacks in their past six games and are set to face yet another losing season for the seventh consecutive year.
Conversely, Philadelphia returns home for the first time since mid-November, where they will play four of their last five regular season games. A win this week would tie the franchise record for consecutive wins, and they are currently holding a two and a half game lead in the NFC East. With standout performances from wide receiver A.J. Brown and a high-ranking offense, the Eagles look poised to continue their success.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, quarterback Jalen Hurts remains a strong choice. His effectiveness in goal line situations, especially using the “tush push” strategy, has made him a valuable asset. With 26 touchdowns, including 12 rushing, he is a centerpiece of the Eagles’ offense, especially against a vulnerable Panthers defense.
