On Sunday afternoon, an exciting NFC clash will feature the Carolina Panthers (3-9) squaring off against the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2). The teams last faced each other in 2021, when the Eagles narrowly secured a victory on the road. Carolina is coming off a tough overtime loss at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finishing 26-23 while managing to cover the spread as 6.5-point underdogs. The Eagles, on the other hand, celebrated a solid win against the Baltimore Ravens, winning 24-19 as 3.5-point underdogs. Philadelphia enters this matchup as 13-point favorites. Fans can catch the action at 1:00 PM EST from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with coverage available regionally on FOX.
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Which team will come out on top in this early Sunday game? Read on for our Panthers vs. Eagles prediction.
Panthers Show Resilience
The Carolina Panthers have been demonstrating a fighting spirit that belies their 3-9 record. They have secured victories in two of their last four games, with both defeats coming by a mere three points. Recent wins against the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants illustrate their potential, while close losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buccaneers have tested their resolve. Although playoff hopes are dwindling, they remain mathematically in the race, sitting just ahead of the Giants in the NFC standings. In their latest outing, quarterback Bryce Young threw for 298 yards and a touchdown despite the loss.
Following the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales emphasized the need for consistency, stating, “We have to put together a full complement of quarters to become the team that we want to become.” Young has played in nine games this season, amassing 1,381 passing yards with a 59.4% completion rate, alongside a 6-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While he is agile, Young has not prioritized rushing, totaling just 108 yards. Running back Chubba Hubbard leads the ground game with 919 yards and seven touchdowns, including a standout performance of 153 rushing yards against the Giants three weeks ago. Rookie receiver Xavier Legette has emerged as a key target, recording 37 receptions for 393 yards and four touchdowns.
The Panthers currently rank 30th in the league in scoring, averaging 18.1 points per game, while their defense sits last, allowing 30.5 points per game. Safety Xavier Woods leads the team with 84 tackles and has three of their seven interceptions this season. The pass rush has generated 21 sacks, with Jadeveon Clowney leading the charge with 3.5 sacks.
Injury Report:
Questionable: DE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Josey Jewell, LB DJ Wonnum, WR Jalen Coker
Eagles on a Winning Streak
The Philadelphia Eagles are entering this matchup riding high on an eight-game winning streak, establishing themselves as one of the league’s most formidable teams. Their only losses this season came against the NFC South, falling to the Atlanta Falcons at home and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. Those setbacks seem far behind as the Eagles are in a tight race with the Detroit Lions for the top spot in the conference, currently sitting just one game back. Last week, they showcased their offensive prowess, with Saquon Barkley rushing for 107 yards against the Ravens.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been instrumental for the Eagles, throwing for 2,494 yards this season with a 68.4% completion rate, complemented by a 14-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Hurts is also a key contributor on the ground, ranking second on the team with 485 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Saquon Barkley, in his first season with Philadelphia, is leading the league with 1,499 rushing yards and is in contention for the all-time rushing record. He has scored 11 rushing touchdowns and added two in the passing game. A.J. Brown, a physical receiver, has recorded 44 receptions for 793 yards and four touchdowns, frequently stretching the field with 13 catches over 20 yards. DeVonta Smith serves as another vital target, contributing 41 catches for 516 yards.
Philadelphia ranks 7th in the league in scoring, averaging 26.7 points per game, while their defense is performing well, allowing only 18.2 points per game, placing them 4th in the league. Zack Baun leads the team in tackles with 118, while Josh Sweat is notable for his seven sacks. The Eagles also have seven interceptions this season, with safety Reed Blankenship leading with three.
Injury Report:
Questionable: TE Dallas Goedert, CB Darius Slay, S Reed Blankenship, WR Britain Covey
Best Bets for Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
