Know your Foe: Philadelphia Eagles

Oct 05, 2021 at 01:34 PM

Will Bryan

CHARLOTTE - Philadelphia (1-3) comes to Charlotte on the heels of a three-game losing streak.

The Eagles knocked off Atlanta in the season opener, but have since fallen to the 49ers, Cowboys and Chiefs with tough matchups against Carolina, Tampa Bay and Las Vegas upcoming.

Philadelphia will certainly be trying to find a much-needed win this weekend and stay competitive in the NFC East.

JALEN'S OFFENSE

Jalen Hurts has led an offensive effort that statistically seems better than the team's 1-3 record.

Philadelphia is eighth in net passing yards (274.8), 12th in fewest sacks (8) and 11th in third down conversions.

Hurts has only thrown two interceptions against seven passing touchdowns, tied for the fourth-fewest picks thrown by qualified quarterbacks this year. He threw for 387 yards and rushed for 47 more with two touchdowns and no interceptions Sunday against Kansas City.

"That's one of the better quarterback performances I've seen, and I've been around a lot of good quarterbacks," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "He battled. He made good decisions with the football. He got out of trouble when there was trouble. He made good checks. He made good reads. That's the best I've seen him in practice. That's the best I've seen him in a game since I've been here, so hats off to Jalen, he battled," .

Hurts is certainly finding his footing as the Eagles' young leader.

ALABAMA CONNECTION

One of the main offensive storylines for Philadelphia this season has been the connection between former Alabama teammates Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Smith recorded his first 100-yard receiving game on Sunday with seven catches. He had averaged just 38.3 yards per game in the first three games.

Along with Smith, the Eagles have a pair of tight ends in Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert who have been productive this season.

Goedert has averaged 47.0 receiving yards per game, while Ertz has 38.3. They rank third and eighth in the league among tight ends, respectively.

RED ZONE DEFENSE

Last week, the Eagles allowed Kansas City, admittedly one of the NFL's best red-zone teams, to go 5-of-5 inside the 20-yard line.

On the season, Philadelphia has given up touchdowns on 11 of 14 red zone opportunities, tied for 26th in the NFL.

However, more troubling than what happens in the red zone is how the Eagles defense seems to end up in it.

Philadelphia is 30th in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 150.3 rush yards per game. As Panthers fans know from Sunday, when you allow a team to move it on the ground, it opens up everything else.

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The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panther Julius Peppers (90) sacks Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Carson Wentz at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker Greg Favors in the second quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives of the end zone but comes up a yard short against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs with the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Damaris Johnson (13) holds onto the ball as he is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown (34) is tackled by Carolina Panthers corner back Josh Norman (24) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick stands on the field with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) runs past Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) for a 43-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Kris Jenkins in the second half of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

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Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin pulls in a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panthers runningback Stephen Davis (48) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mark Simoneau (50) while Eagles defenders converge during the second half Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

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Philadelphia Eagles defense and Carolina Panthers offense line up over the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Carolina Panther James Bradberry (24) makes a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

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Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) pushes past Philadelphia Eagles' Sheldon Brown, center, as Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter, left, follows the action during the first quarter of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) and DeShaun Foster celebrate victory after they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

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Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb (5) falls into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter as Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) and Quinton Teal (26) defend during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. McNabb was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

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Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter (30) drops the ball thrown to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, right, in the end zone as Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. (24) defends in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, in Philadelphia. Two plays later, the Eagles settled for a field goal on the drive. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

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FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2006 file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme reacts after he threw to DeAngelo Williams for a touchdown in the third quarter of their football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Panthers signed Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million extension on Thursday, April 23, 2009, that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)

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Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown against the defense of Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Michael Lewis (32) and linebacker Nate Wayne (54) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. Eagles' Michael Lewis (32) and Mark Simoneau failed to contain him. Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) is visible. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)

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Carolina Panthers cornerback Rickey Manning (24) runs back an interception as Philadelphia Eagles Hank Fraley (63) pursues during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Carolina Panthers' Kris Magnum, left, congratulates Muhsin Muhammad (87) after he scored a second quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)