Podcast: What To Look For Tonight As Eagles Host Panthers
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Eagles will be on the prime time stage tonight as they host the Carolina Panthers at the Linc.
The Birds are 6-2 and coming off a 31-21 win down in Houston last time out. But in that game, the Eagles suffered a couple of key injuries as quarterback Nick Foles (clavicle) and linebacker DeMeco Ryans (Achilles) were lost.
Stepping in for Foles will be Mark Sanchez. The former New York Jet will be making his first start in the NFL since 2012. He missed all of last season recovering from a torn labrum. After coming in for the injured Foles last week, Sanchez went 15 of 22 for 202 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Replacing Ryans will be a combination of Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho with Marcus Smith backing them up.
The Panthers come to town 3-5-1 and they have really struggled after a 2-0 start. Carolina has been outscored by 59 points this season and they are allowing 26.2 ppg. They still have quarterback Cam Newton, but the Panthers average just 95 yards a game rushing and they lack depth in the passing game. Rookie Kelvin Benjamin has had a nice season with 40 catches and tight end Greg Olsen is his usual steady self with 45 receptions. But past those two, Carolina has had to lean on past-their-prime veterans like Jerricho Cotchery and former Eagle Jason Avant.
The Eagles are 5-3 all-time against the Panthers. That includes that painful 13-3 loss in the NFC Championship game in January of 2004.
The last time these two teams met was back on November 26th of 2012. The Eagles lost to Carolina, also on a Monday night at the Linc, 30-22. Bryce Brown rushed for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss for the Eagles.
KYW's Matt Leon spoke with Brandon Lee Gowton of BleedingGreenNation.com, to preview tonight's game.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
You may also be interested in these Sports stories:
