Week 5 Game Preview: Panthers vs. Eagles

Oct 07, 2021 at 08:55 AM

Will Bryan

Game Reset

Carolina Panthers (3-1) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)
Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, NC
Sunday, Oct. 10 | 1 p.m. | FOX
Roster | Depth Chart | How to Watch

History: Panthers vs. Eagles

Carolina is 5-7 all-time against Philadelphia, posting a 2-3 record at home all-time.
Current Streak: Panthers W1
Last matchup: Carolina won 21-17 in Philadelphia in 2018, overcoming a 17-0 deficit in the fourth quarter
Six of the last nine matchups have come in primetime

Notable Connections

Panthers

Wide receiver DJ Moore grew up in Philadelphia
A number of Panthers, including Haason Reddick, P.J. Walker, Robby Anderson, Sean Chandler, Colin Thompson and Sam Franklin Jr. played at Temple under current Panthers coach Matt Rhule
DaQuan Jones and Yetur Gross-Matos played at Penn State

Eagles

A number of Eagles players are originally from the Carolinas, including J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (Roebuck, S.C.), Landon Dickerson (Hudson, N.C.), Javon Hargrave (Salisbury, N.C.), Brett Toth (Charleston, S.C.), Tarron Jackson (Aiken, S.C.) and Mac McCain (Greensboro, N.C.)

Scouting the Eagles

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 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.

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.

Table inside Article
Category	Panthers	Eagles
Offense
Total Yards/Game	387.5 (13th)	397.5 (8th)
Rushing Yards/Game	107.5 (t-16th)	122.8 (t-9th)
Net Passing Yards/Game	280.0 (8th)	274.8 (9th)
Sacks Allowed	11 (t-23rd)	8 (t-12th)
Third Down Efficiency	39.6 (18th)	42.9 (10th)
Points/Game	24.3 (13th)	23.5 (t-17th)
Defense
Total Yards/Game	251.5 (3rd)	354.3 (14th)
Rushing Yards/Game	95.0 (10th)	150.3 (31st)
Passing Yards/Game	156.5 (2nd)	204.0 (7th)
Sacks	14 (t-1st)	8 (t-19th)
Third Down Efficiency	23.8 (1st)	48.0 (27th)
Takeaways	3 (t-21st)	2 (25th)
Points Allowed/Game	16.5 (3rd)	26.5 (24th)

Stat Nuggets To Know

Team

Carolina has led at halftime in every game this season, posting an overall point differential of +35 at halftime, second-best in the NFL.
The Panthers are averaging 34:48 in time of possession, currently best in the NFL.
Carolina is one of five teams with at least 100.0 rushing yards and 280.0 passing yards per game as 157 offensive plays have gone through the air and 117 on the ground.
Carolina has 16 pass plays of 20+ yards, sixth-best in the NFL. Panthers players have averaged 6.1 yards after catch this season, ranking seventh-best in the league.
Defensively, the Panthers rank third in yards allowed (251.5), tied for first in sacks (14), first in third down efficiency (23.8) and third in points allowed (16.5).
Carolina has held opponents to scores in just 25 percent of drives (3rd) and forced punts in 52.3 percent of drives (2nd). 36.4 percent of opponents drives have been three-and-outs (t-4th).
The pass rush has recorded a sack, pressure or QB hit on 11.1 percent of opponents' pass plays, the highest percentage in the NFL.

Individual

Quarterback Sam Darnold leads the NFL with five rushing touchdowns, the most by any QB through the first four games of an NFL season. He has thrown for over 300 yards in three consecutive games, the longest such streak in franchise history and the longest active streak in the NFL right now.
Wide receiver DJ Moore is tied for second in the NFL with 30 receptions and ranks fourth with 398 receiving yards. His 155 yards after the catch are also fourth. Since 2019, he has averaged 15.1 yards per catch, third-most by qualified players in the NFL in that span.
Linebacker Haason Reddick is tied for sixth in the NFL with 4.5 sacks. In 2020 and 2021, Reddick has six strip-sacks (1st) and 17.0 total sacks (3rd).
Defensive end Brian Burns has 3.0 sacks this season and 19.5 career sacks, trailing only Julius Peppers (21.0) for the most sacks through a players's first 33 career games.
Cornerback Donte Jackson is second on the team with 17 tackles and ranks second in career interceptions (10) among players in his 2018 draft class.

Milestones in Reach

Sam Darnold

Needs two rushing touchdowns to become first QB in NFL history with multiple rushing TDs in three consecutive games
Needs 300+ passing yards to extend his streak of games to four with 300+, the longest active streak in the NFL

DJ Moore

Needs seven receptions to pass Robby Anderson (36, 2020) for most catches in first five games of a season
Needs four receiving first downs to pass Greg Olsen (24, 2016) for most rec first downs in first five games since stat was recorded in 2000
Needs 349 receiving yards to pass Wesley Walls (3,902) for fourth place in Panthers history.

Brian Burns

Needs 1.5 sacks to pass Kris Jenkins (20.5) for seventh among defensive linemen in Panthers history

Shaq Thompson

Needs 10 tackles to pass Chris Gamble (493) for fifth all time in Panthers history.

Donte Jackson

Needs five interceptions to pass Richard Marshall/Doug Evans (14) for fifth all-time in franchise history

Jeremy Chinn

Needs 24 tackles to pass Will Witherspoon (157) for the most tackles in the first two seasons by a non-middle linebacker.

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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)