Philadelphia Eagles can prove themselves against Carolina Panthers
By Jake Starr
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Charlotte on a short week for a date with the Carolina Panthers. This is the Eagles chance to show to the league just who they are.
The Philadelphia Eagles are flying high winners of three straight and holding a 4-1 record so far, and have won games in varieties of ways. They have gashed teams with the run, gone to an aerial attack, and even this past Sunday, the Eagles played their most complete game of the season.
On Thursday night, the ante will be upped for this up and coming Philadelphia team. They will be tasked with traveling on the road on a short week to take on a very good Carolina Panthers team.
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The Panthers also sit at 4-1 and hold very impressive wins over the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions the past two weeks. This is a primetime matchup that looks to be featuring two of the NFC`s premier teams.
It is without a doubt that with a win on Thursday night, the Eagles will begin to be looked at as a true contender. Many of the power rankings across the web have the Eagles very high, with NFL listing them as their number two team after Week 5. This shows the respect Philadelphia is garnering across the board, but on Thursday night they have a chance to take it to a whole new level.
Beating this Panthers team will be no easy task. They have a very unconventional offense that can attack a defense from many different angles. Carolina possess one of the more dangerous running games in the NFL led by rookie do it all running back Christian McCaffrey. Also, Cam Newton running the football just adds another lethal aspect to the Panthers’ offense.
If the Eagles second-ranked rushing defense can contain this Carolina lethal rushing attack, then there will be a chance for the defense to have success. Forcing Newton to drop back and throw the ball will allow the Eagles front four to put their heads down and rush the quarterback.
Pederson: Fletcher Cox game time decision. Ditto Smallwood. Lane Johnson will not make trip.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 11, 2017
If Fletcher Cox does play tomorrow, that will serve large for the defensive success of the Eagles. Giving this already deep defensive line their best piece in not just stopping the run, but also getting to the opposing quarterback.
On the offensive side of the ball, this is a game that screams as a breakout game for Alshon Jeffery. After facing teams top corners the past handful weeks, Jeffery might get lots of opportunities this week not having to face a premier corner.
The Panthers sport the third-ranked defense when it comes to yards per game, but the Arizona Cardinals defense the Eagles faced off with against last week was not too shabby either, and they had no issues facing them.
For Philadelphia to win a tough night game on the road, they will need the offense to be clicking on all cylinders. They must continue to establish the run, and spread the ball and have success through the air. Carson Wentz is now being looked at as one of the leagues top quarterbacks, and with a good game in primetime, he can silence any remaining doubts.
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At the end of the day though, this is not a must-win game. For sure though, this will be a great measuring stick game. A loss will not be the end of the world for the Eagles with lots of home games coming up. But a win, in a tough road environment, against one the NFL`s elite teams will raise the hopes of many fans and establish the Eagles as one a true contenders to play late into the postseason.