Who will win, Eagles vs. Panthers? Prediction roundup from ESPN, Sports … – NJ.com
Before the season, the Eagles were viewed as one of the top teams in the NFC, while the Carolina Panthers, well, weren’t.
Six weeks into the season, that has changed — big time.
The Eagles enter their Week 7 matchup with the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, as underdogs and in need of a win. With a win, the Eagles would hold onto first place in the NFC East, and enter their bye week winners of four of their last five games.
As for the Panthers, a win would send a statement that they are one of the best teams in not only the NFC, but the entire NFL.
Here is a roundup of predictions for Sunday night:
NJ.com:
Eliot Shorr-Parks: The Panthers and the Eagles are actually pretty similar teams, something very few would have said before the season, as both are winning with defense and having trouble scoring on offense. The big difference in this game could be turnovers, as the Panthers have done a great job this year taking care of the football, and the Eagles haven’t. The Eagles are playing their best football of the season, and have won the past two games by a combined 42 points. Coming off of a big win over the Seattle Seahawks, this feels like a letdown game for the Panthers, which the Eagles will take advantage of. Eagles 23, Panthers 20
Mark Eckel: An Eagles win would set up a nice bye week for the team; and there’s no reason they can’t knock off the undefeated Panthers. Of all the numbers, trends and information available on this one, there’s one I can’t get out of my head. Since 2011, the Eagles are 1-6 the week after a Monday night game. I never like teams traveling off a short week and I don’t like it here, either. Panthers 20, Eagles 14.
Matt Lombardo: The Eagles seem to have put September’s slow start to the season behind them. After beating the New Orleans Saints and Giants back to back weeks — at home — the toughest test of this stretch awaits in Carolina against the Panthers. There are so many reasons why the Eagles should win this game such as a suddenly improved run game, an opportunistic and dominant defense as well as the fact that Carolina’s coming off a win on the road in Seattle and everyone knows the impact playing the Seahawks has on teams the following week. Still, against the run-heavy Panthers and with Cam Newton representing the first duel-threat quarterback this team has faced, the Eagles come up just short. Panthers 24, Eagles 20.
BRADFORD: QB’s play could keep Eagles out of playoffs
ESPN:
Of the 13 experts polled, 11 picked the Panthers. Only Ron Jaworski and Eric Allen picked the Eagles.
Sports Illustrated: (via Don Banks)
For a team that has won 10 out of its last 11 games, the Panthers still seem to surprise us when they post a statement win like last week’s upset in Seattle. But maybe it’s time we recognize that the aberration was Carolina starting last season 3-8-1 after its 2013 NFC South title, not the strong work Ron Rivera’s team has turned in from December 2014 to present. The Eaglesdefense is playing winning football, but Sam Bradford and the Eagles offense are still too streaky and unreliable to go into Charlotte and knock off the confident Panthers. Panthers 28, Eagles 23
CBS Sports: (via Pete Prisco)
The Eagles defense looked much better against the Giants Monday night, but now they have to go face a tough team on a short week on the road. Carolina impressed beating the Seahawks last week, and that will carry over here. Cam Newton stays hot. Panthers 24, Eagles 17
THE NO-HUDDLE SHOW, Ep. 13: Sam Bradford stinks right now, but at least the Eagles’ defense is great
The Eagles just crushed their division rival to take over first place in the NFC East, but given how sloppy the passing game was, it doesn’t feel as good as it should. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.
Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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