The Philadelphia Eagles 5-1 are the surprise team of the season.In a 28-23 victory over the Carolina Panthers 4-2, Philly was able to make an absolute statement under the direction of a constantly pressured but patient Carson Wentz.The Panthers could not completely compensate their limited offensive possibilities by creative playcalling.Three Newton interceptions were decisive.
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In a predominantly even game, the Panthers saw their chance to stop one of the league’s hottest offenses by frequent lightning.Carson Wentz (16/30,222 YDS, 3TD) remained calm and made almost no mistakes.The fumble in the first drive went on the cap of Lane-Johnson replacement Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
The Panthers, for their part, tried to compensate the non-existent running back rushing game with creativity.All Panthers Running Backs ran for 70 yards less than Cam Newton (Passing: 28/52,239 YDS, TD, 3INT – Rushing: 11 CAR, 71 YDS, TD).This brought Carolina characteristically in front with a 16-yard run.
A concussion at Luke Kuechly just before half-time and two Newton interceptions before and after the 30-minute mark led the game in the opposite direction.Wentz found Tight End Zach Ertz twice within the red zone, who was otherwise not a big factor in the game.
The Panthers seemed to stay in the game only because of the accumulated penalties of the guests (ten for 126 yards).But when the Panthers Defense finally established itself and Carolina started her late comeback, Newton threw the next and decisive interception after a misunderstanding with Russell Shepard.
Carolina Panthers (4-2) – Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)23:28 (3:3,7:7,6:11,7:7) BOXSCORE
Malcolm Jenkins (Safety, Philadelphia Eagles):
“We did a good job of keeping our nerves in another tight game.We are very proud of how we played.It was a tough test after a short week.”… in a tough opponent in a tough stadium.”
Again the Panthers had problems to set up a rushing game.The offense could not gain any space at all with simple handoffs.That’s why it was so important to get Newton moving again via Play Action Fakes.While Philly dominated the customary ground game at will, Newton occasionally found a place in his own movement and a rarely unsorted Eagles defense.The Panthers often formed two back formations with Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel.Here, Newton also capitalized on the run-pass option in the creative Panthers offensive scheme.All in all, the Eagles-Defense turned into Potent and adapted itself to the Panthers’ playcalling more and more during the course of the season.
Although the Eages-Offense seemed well oiled, the guests could only rarely put themselves in a scoring position.Help was provided by the Defense.But above all from the Panthers themselves.With six minutes remaining in the first round, Newton was touched by his own lineman and Rasul Douglas’ ball was intercepted.The Eagles were able to take advantage of the immediate red-zone opportunity.Shortly after the half time Jonathan Stewart was responsible for another interception within his own 20-yard mark.Both turnovers were converted into a total of 15 points.In the penultimate drive, Newton had another chance to lead Carolina.However, his attempt to pass towards Sterlin Shepard was a gift for Jalen Mills.
The defensive tackle was questionable before the game, but it finally came in and delivered a completely convincing performance.The first Newton interception provoked Cox by the enormous pressure he exerted on Guard Trai Turner.He also collected two tackles, 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hits.From Cox’s presence lived the entire Eagles front.
Stewart stands symptomatically for the big problems that accompany the Panthers and their ground game.The 30-year-old didn’t even beat Philadelphia and ran for minus four yards at eight carries.Stewart was touched before the Line of Scrimmage.Yards after contact didn’t materialize with the physically strong back.In the Receiving Department, Stewart made a big mistake at the beginning of the third quarter when he couldn’t hold on to a short passport and juggled it directly into the hands of Patrick Robinson.Philly made eight points out of it, which should have decisive value in the end.