On current form, the Carolina Panthers probably have the toughest task facing them this weekend. But it’s a challenge they should embrace fully.
The Philadelphia Eagles are flying after a stuttering 2-2 start. They’ve completely flipped things on their head and find themselves 10-2 after an eight-game winning streak spearheaded by NFL MVP candidate Saquon Barkley.
Carolina will still be wondering how they managed to lose against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They completely dominated their division rival for three quarters, but with a mixture of poor red zone execution, questionable kicking, and even more questionable officiating, they found themselves ahead by far less than they should have.
The Panthers saw further development from second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The former Alabama stud continues to show immense growth following his benching earlier this season. It’s even more incredible to think that had it not been for a car accident, Andy Dalton would likely still be the starter.
This is Young’s toughest test to date in a hostile environment. If the No. 1 pick in 2023 can show more of the poise he has shown in recent weeks, it’ll be a huge tick in the box of a second-year signal-caller.
Without further ado, let’s get into four bold predictions for the Panthers’ trip to Lincoln Financial field.
Bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 at Eagles
Carolina Panthers hold Saquon Barkley to under 150 yards rushing
If under 150 rushing yards is a bold prediction, that’s a damning indictment of what is far and away the league’s worst run defense.
A week on from Bucky Irving having a career day, the Carolina Panthers face the league’s leading rusher. Saquon Barkley has an incredible 1,499 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on the year. If he gets going quickly, the single-game record of 296 yards may be under threat.
Ejiro Evero will likely have a plan in place to stifle the former Penn State standout. Having a plan in place and executing it are two different things.
But you never know. With Christmas around the corner, the Panthers may spring a holiday miracle. If they manage to hold Barkley under 150 yards, it would be fair to call it an early present for Evero.
Bryce Young notches up his third straight turnover-free game
As previously mentioned, this looks set to be one of if not the toughest tests of quarterback Bryce Young’s career to date. He comes into the contest in tremendous form, but the size of this particular task cannot be overstated.
This Philadelphia Eagles team is flying high off the back of a huge win against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. After nullifying the AFC North team’s dominant offense, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit will be licking its lips at the prospect of facing the Carolina Panthers’ inferior offensive group.
As improved as Carolina’s offense has been in the last two weeks, Young is not Jackson. Running back Chuba Hubbard isn’t Derrick Henry. This Carolina offense doesn’t hold a candle to Baltimore. Fangio is one of the most well-respected defensive coordinators league-wide. One only has to look at how Philadelphia’s defense has performed since his appointment to see that.
Young must take confidence from the fact he faced a Steve Spagnoulo defense two weeks ago and had immense success passing the ball versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The Heisman Trophy winner is looking for his fourth straight game without a turnover. And his last pick in a win over the New Orleans Saints five weeks ago was the fault of the wide receiver.
For the Panthers to have any chance of an unlikely victory, not turning the football over will be key. Carolina will be bolstered on offense by the returns of rookie pass catcher Ja’Tavion Sanders. They’ve both developed encouraging chemistry with Young, which must continue despite their absence in recent weeks.
Keeping this high-powered Eagles offense led by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley on the sidelines for lengthy periods is paramount to any success Carolina may have in this game. Young must set the tone and come through in crucial moments to achieve this unlikely objective.
Jonathon Brooks scores his first NFL touchdown
One positive to emerge from the Carolina Panthers’ gut-wrenching defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 was the first extended look at Jonathon Brooks.
After making his debut the week previously against the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Dave Canales gave the former Texas Longhorn a bigger role. He played in 21 percent of the offensive snaps, gaining nine touches.
Even in a short sample size, we saw glimpses of why Carolina traded up in the second round to select Brooks despite the fact his season was prematurely ended by an ACL injury in November 2023. This is a gradual process, but the early signs are immensely encouraging nonetheless.
Brooks’ cameo already has fans dreaming of Carolina potentially having its version of the one-two punch of the Detroit Lions’ backfield tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. While such high expectations shouldn’t be placed on the rookie so soon into his NFL career, it’s always a positive to surround your young quarterback with a plethora of offensive talent.
We may see Brooks slowly gain a larger role in Canales’ offense as he continues to ramp up his performance levels and comes through increased physical contact in a competitive setting unscathed. With Chuba Hubbard coughing up a crucial fumble in the overtime defeat to Tampa Bay, the Hallettsville native could see a greater workload in the trip to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Regardless of the outcome of this game at Lincoln Financial Field, one thing Carolina fans would love to see is Brooks getting into the end zone for the first time. And even better would be to see it come from highlighting the home run ability that led to the dual-threat weapon being drafted in the top 50.
Hubbard will be the workhorse given the Panthers’ desperate need to control the clock. However, opportunities should be available for Brooks to make a lasting contribution.
Carolina Panthers shock the world by winning on a walk-off field goal
It was mentioned that if the Carolina Panthers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, it would shock the NFL world. If they were to somehow pull out a win versus the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, it would certainly surpass a potential win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
While Kansas City has just a single loss this season, it’s hard to point to them being overly convincing en route to a potential three-peat. We saw that play out against Carolina. Had it not been for red-zone ineffectiveness from the Panthers’ offense, there’s no doubt whatsoever it would have been a different outcome.
It’s fair to argue that Philadelphia is a different animal. They don’t have a signal caller of the caliber of Patrick Mahomes, but Jalen Hurts is not a bad alternative. And the supporting cast around the former Oklahoma star blows Kansas City out of the water.
Most sportsbooks across the country have Carolina as a 12.5-point underdog for this encounter, which surpasses the line for the clash two weeks ago with the Chiefs. That is how daunting this weekend’s game is for first-year head coach Dave Canales and his players.
The Panthers had their hearts broken in back-to-back weeks, losing on consecutive walk-off-field goals. Although disappointing, it proves that Canales’ men can hang with almost anybody following their recent resurgence.
This is the game where quarterback Bryce Young fully announces himself as the future of the Panthers, leading his team on another game-winning drive. A week after missing two crucial kicks, veteran Eddy Piniero returns to his accurate best.
If these two scenarios come to fruition and the Panthers somehow find a way to restrict Saquon Barkley’s influence, that might be enough to cause a monumental upset on the road. Something that would shake the league to its foundations along the way.
