The Carolina Panthers won't be facing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts this weekend after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his calf. This raises expectations for head coach Dave Canales' squad.
It's a scary situation for Hurts. The problem first surfaced before Philadelphia's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Further tests revealed the clot had moved, so the team needed to act decisively.
This represents another body blow to an Eagles team already facing serious questions.
Carolina Panthers have added Week 6 expectations with Jalen Hurts out
Right tackle Lane Johnson retired. Interior offensive lineman Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. The Eagles could also be without running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith for the second straight week.
Couple this with the Eagles coming into the game on the back of a three-game losing run, and it's not hard to see why the tide has turned in Carolina's favor.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Panthers are now 3.5-point favorites to win at Lincoln Financial Field. That seemed almost inconceivable earlier in the campaign, but it reflects how things are unfolding for both clubs.
But for the Panthers, complacency cannot become an issue.
And it's a trap they've fallen into way too often.
Carolina Panthers cannot fall into a similar trap against the Eagles
The Panthers are known for playing up to their competition. When they're favored, that's when they tend to struggle. Finding consistency, no matter the opposition, is what separates the contenders from the also-rans, and that's where Canales wants his team to be.
They must treat this game as if Hurts is playing. They must treat this game as if the Eagles are full strength. And they must be wary of the unknown factor that comes with backup quarterback Tanner McKee.
Hurts is the man in Philadelphia. McKee gets on the field during the preseason or in the final minutes of blowouts. That's it, so the Eagles will look to use these unknowns to end their slump.
And despite all the problems on offense, the Eagles remain a significant danger defensively.
All of Philadelphia's big defensive hitters are healthy. With so much offensive firepower missing, the onus is on them, and turning this contest into a war of attrition seems their best hope for success.
If the Panthers aren't aware of that, they should be.
A considerable opportunity awaits the Panthers. Winning here would put them at 3-2 with a crucial home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next up. This two-game stretch could put Carolina in the ascendancy in its NFC South title defense, and Canales' squad has to come through.
The job isn't done just because Hurts is missing. In fact, it only piles more pressure on the Panthers to get the job done.
That is unusual for any team visiting Philadelphia, but Canales and his players have to cope with it effectively after their extended rest over the bye week.
Now it's time for the Panthers to prove why they are getting so much hype. And it all starts by dismantling an under-strength Eagles squad going through some real turmoil.
Nothing else will suffice.
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