Date & Time: December 8, 2024 — 1:00 P.M. EST

Location: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Network: FOX

Injury Report:

Eagles:

OUT:

S Reed Blankenship (concussion)

S Sydney Brown (knee)

WR Britain Covey (neck)

TE Dallas Goedert (knee)

Panthers:

Doubtful:

Jalen Coker (Quad)

Questionable: 

Jadeveon Clowney (Knee)

Nick Scott (Personal / Hamstring)

Josey Jewell (Hamstring)  

Caleb Farley (Shoulder)

Robert Hunt (Back)

Ja’Tavion Sanders (Neck)

DJ Wonnum (Knee)

Matchup Preview:

The upstart Carolina Panthers hit the road to take on a Philadelphia Eagles team that are winners of eight in a row. 

Coming off what many consider to be the most impressive win of this stretch, a 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia looks to flex its muscle en route to a ninth consecutive win. 

Meanwhile, this feisty Panthers team is determined to bounce back after two heartbreaking losses. Quarterback Bryce Young is playing much better, and under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Canales, Carolina is playing with purpose, sitting just three games back of the NFC South division lead.

Yet will that be enough to pull the upset?

Philadelphia holds an 8-5 series lead over the Panthers, with the latest meeting being a 21-18 Eagles victory in 2021. How do these two team match up currently?

Let’s take a look:

Keys to Victory:

1.) K.I.S.S. — Keep it simple stupid 

The plan for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday should not include reinventing the wheel on either side of the ball. Despite the fact that this Panthers team has been playing much better football over recent weeks, the team still enters this game ranked 30th in total offense and 31st in total defense.

Since returning from the bye week, the Eagles have placed an emphasis on running the football. They’ve become the most dominant rushing attack in the NFL. The Eagles lead the league with 188.9 rushing yards per game, anchored by MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, who is currently on pace to break the league’s single season rushing record.

Matching this up against a Panthers team that allows a league high 160.5 rushing yards per game should be a recipe for success.

Last week, Carolina allowed 236 yards on the ground, including a career high 152 yard performance from Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie, Bucky Irving. 

The Eagles have notably leaned into heavier personnel groupings recently, ranking fourth in 12 personnel usage and seventh in 22 personnel via TruMedia.

It will be interesting to see how Philadelphia replaces the loss of tight end Dallas Goedert against a Panthers team that ranks third in the league in terms of the amount of base defense they run. 

The Eagles could also turn to 11 personnel with the return of both DeVonta Smith and Johnny Wilson to the lineup. Specifically with the return of Wilson, who supplies a bigger body and has often been utilized as an extra blocker.

2.) Start early and finish fast

The Philadelphia Eagles and their first quarter struggles this season are well documented. There’s an argument to be made that no one has ever accomplished such an impressively concerning feat. 

With Philadelphia being outscored by opponents 56-17 through 13 separate first quarters. The Eagles find themselves at the bottom of the league, averaging just 1.4 points per game in the opening quarter. 

What makes matters even more interesting is the fact that the team has the worst production in the league through their first two possessions in terms EPA per drive.

Yet soon after, the unit immediately becomes the ‘greatest show on turf’ through each following drive.

“It’s definitely something we’ve had a lot of discussion about,” Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said.

But as the old adage goes, it’s not a problem until it’s a problem.

“I think the cool thing is in these first quarters, as frustrating as it can be, I think our guys handle the adversity really well. We don’t want to face that adversity every single week,” Moore continued.

With an NFL best 6-1 record when trailing through one quarter, the slow starts have yet to hurt this Philadelphia team.

This week’s matchup against the Panthers, however, offers an opportunity for this high powered Eagles offense to begin to right their wrongs. Much due in part to the fact that this Carolina group ranks 31st in both touchdown drive percentage and points per game allowed in the first quarter with 7.0.

Matchup to Watch:

Panthers OL vs Eagles DL 

Don’t let the record fool you, while there are many things about this about this Panther roster that are in need of improvement, the offensive line has offered a bit of a bright spot this season. With the group starting 11 players across all five positions just a season ago, the goal was to bring a sense a stability heading into this season. 

Carolina has made significant investments in improving its offensive line in recent seasons. In 2022, the team selected left tackle Ikem Ekwonu with their first-round pick, and while the athletic standout has shown flashes of potential over the past two years, he’s now looking to build on that promise and show continued improvement.

During the off-season the Panthers added both Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt to solidify the interior of the line. These two are paired with the longest reigning and most consistent member of the Carolina front in Taylor Moton to make one of the more formidable units in the league.

“If you’ve got three core middle guys that can move s—, you’re gonna be all right in the long run. And right now our three core guys, when they play at their top level we’re pretty good,” Panthers run game coordinator Harold Goodwin said.

“I think Bryce is starting to learn that he doesn’t necessarily have to fear for his life every time he drops back in the pocket.”

The efforts to correct the offensive line has led to more consistent play from the quarterback position. Since his return to the starting lineup, Bryce Young leads the league with 9 big time throws during this time and 260+ passing yards in back to back games. It also helps when the offensive line has only allowed one sack in three of the last four games. 

The bread and butter of the Panthers offense begins with the rushing attack. Led by second round selection Johnathan Brooks and Chubba Hubbard who faced stacked box on 66.67% of his snaps against Tampa Bay — most in the league for week 13.

Matching up against this newly acquainted Panthers interior OL will be a Philadelphia Eagles team whose interior defensive line is playing some of the best football across the league at the moment.

Bold Prediction:

Are you not entertained? 

The conversation surrounding Jalen Hurts has become as polarizing as the play of the quarterback. 

For us to be discussing the quarterback with the best winning percentage since 2022 (35-9). The goal post can never find a steady position.

With one score Jalen Hurts will pass Josh Allen for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback through their first six seasons at 54. Then we’ll hear he’s been a ‘Tush Push Merchant’. 

This game Jalen Hurts makes a statement, not only does he accomplish the record with a non-tush push rushing touchdown but he goes on to be the Eagles leading rusher on the day. 

Game Prediction:

Despite the improved play, the Panthers have allowed 26+ points in back to back games, bringing their total of points allowed on the season to 30.5 ppg. This Eagles offense has scored 24+ points in seven consecutive games and there’s been no reason to believe that streak will end on Sunday. 

Eagles 32 – Panthers 18

Cover Image Credit: The Philly Blitz Media