The Carolina Panthers are 2-2 coming off a bye week, facing the 2-3 Philadelphia Eagles. And this game feels significant.
As the Panthers are hot off the arm and mind of quarterback Bryce Young, who leads the NFL in passing yards per game, the Eagles seem to be in a downward spiral, struggling on offense and dealing with injuries and the sudden retirement of Lane Johnson.
Philadelphia has been a premier power in the NFC for the last decade. It seems as though the tide could be turning, and Carolina could seize the opportunity to take down a premier franchise.
Carolina Panthers look to get off the bye week hot as they get healthier
A few weeks ago, this game was circled as a testing ground for the Panthers and a measure of where they were as a team. It holds true today, though the circumstances are different for both teams.
The Eagles have been beaten by three points or less in each of their three losses, while the Panthers are trying to avoid another letdown like the one they had in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.
Fans are anxious about another letdown. It happened too often last season, especially when they backdoored their way into the NFC South championship. However, the Panthers are getting healthier at the perfect time.
Stalwart right tackle Taylor Moton makes his season debut after discovering blood clots over the summer. Defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton also makes his first start of the year, fully recovered from neck surgery in May. Running back Trevor Etienne (ankle) could see significant playing time this weekend.
Not to mention star wide receiver Jalen Coker, who also returns after missing Carolina's last game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football.
The Panthers are getting healthy. The Eagles are not, and that poses trouble for Carolina’s opponent.
Carolina Panthers have no excuses whatsoever against the Eagles
Johnson is gone, and offensive lineman Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Superstar running back Saquon Barkley remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while key defensive starters Jalyx Hunt and Michael Carter are both out with ailments. A few others are game-time decisions.
The big news this week is that quarterback Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve after discovering blood clots and is out indefinitely, leaving Tanner McKee as the starter.
Yet, for some people, that doesn’t ease the skepticism and uneasiness that Sunday’s game brings.
Carolina has had letdown performances under head coach Dave Canales, who is winless off the bye week in Charlotte.
What brings optimism for the Panthers is a better bill of health with the return of key starters on both sides of the ball, Young’s terrific play, and a defensive front that has played excellent football for three straight games.
Sure, you would love to see Carolina earn more respect from national pundits if the Eagles were healthier, but what helps earn respect from others who cover the league is winning at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Panthers are a handful of wins away from being a serious NFC contender this fall. An important stretch against Philadelphia, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football will test where the franchise stands.
You can’t look too far ahead, though. A battered Eagles team is the focus, well-respected by the Panthers themselves, and it will be a tough outing.
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