The city of PhiladelphiaAt Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, the Eagles allowed the Carolina Panthers linger and cause too much discomfort. In the process, they exposed some of the challenges they will face if they hope to make it back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
But they also succeeded in winning.
Once more.
That ties the franchise record of nine consecutive victories, which was also reached by the clubs in 1960, 2003, and 2017.
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Yes, without a doubt, Saquon Barkley was very important. By rushing 20 times for 124 yards, he broke the franchise record that LeSean McCoy had previously held. His best play, as always, came at the most crucial moments. It was his seventh 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
He covered 26 yards on the first two plays, which set off the drive that won the game. Along with a 35-yard scramble by Jalen Hurtson on a third-and-10 play, that drive ended with Grant Calcaterra’s first score with 13:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Both the Eagles and their supporters were anxious during those last minutes and seconds.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young twice kept the game alive with outstanding athletic plays after the Eagles first failed to put the game away on their last offensive series of the day. Xavier Legette was found for a first down on a third-and-11 play after Young escaped a near-end-zone sack by Josh Sweat. Later, he let the Panthers convert on a fourth-and-seven connection for 13 yards to veteran Adam Thielen.
Young had Legette open at the 3-yard line two plays later, with 44 seconds left, but the Carolina receiver was unable to bring the ball down. When Darius Slay intercepted a pass to Thielen on fourth down that would have been a first down, the Eagles were finally able to relax.
Even though the Eagles won, their offense put up a poor showing, raising doubts about whether they have a strong enough passing attack to win it all.
The Eagles’ 22 points were their lowest since Week 6, when they had a difficult time defeating the Cleveland Browns at home. Hurts ended 14 for 21 for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
The 10-2 Eagles’ slow start is one issue they need to address before the postseason.
Even though they led 14–10 at the end of the first half, it was a major issue once more.
The Eagles failed to score a touchdown on their first drive for the thirteenth time this season. On opening drives, they have only scored six points this season. In two offensive series, they also failed to score in the first quarter, which is the tenth time in 13 games this season that they have failed to score.
Carolina took advantage of the Eagles’ sluggish start to take 3-0 and 10-3 first-half leads. With 1:09 remaining in the first quarter, the Panthers took advantage of a short field to make a 38-yard field goal from Eddy Pieiro. However, the Eagles quickly responded with a 70-yard touchdown drive that heavily featured Barkley.
Hurts scrambled to his left and hit Smith for a 27-yard gain on the 8-yard line after the running back carried five times for 38 yards during the 10-play scoring drive. Hurts sneaked one yard to end the drive.
A 14-play, 69-yard drive that included a crucial 11-yard connection from Bryce Young to Adam Thielen on a third-and-eight play and a fourth-and-goal completion from Young to tight end Tommy Tremble gave the Panthers the lead again with 4:00 remaining in the first half.
The Panthers seemed like they may lead going into halftime when the Eagles went three-and-out on their next offensive series.
However, on a third-and-three play, C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepted the quarterback’s wayward ball after Jalen Carter put a hand in Young’s face. With 14 seconds remaining in the first half, the Eagles had a 14-10 lead after the safety returned the ball 15 yards to the 44, a distance they covered in seven plays.
A.J. Brown was clearly irritated that he wasn’t singled out earlier in the first half, but on the Eagles’ second touchdown drive, he was the recipient of consecutive passes from Hurts that went for 25 yards. Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a touchdown on second-and-goal from the four-yard line after a third completion to Brown moved the ball to the five-yard line.
Elliott attempted a 52-yard field goal after the Eagles were stopped on a third-and-four play after they had the ball to begin the second half and had driven into Carolina territory. It was the kicker’s fifth missed attempt from 50 yards and beyond in as many tries.
The Panthers took advantage of the error, which also put the ball at their own 42, by launching a 12-play, 58-yard touchdown drive that included a fourth-and-two convert on a six-yard pass from Young to Thielen that Jalen Carter tipped in the air. Hubbard bullied his way into the end zone on third down to end the drive.
Once more, the Eagles responded right away by using Barkley’s legs to start a drive. It began with 11- and 15-yard rushes close to the end of the third quarter.
Hurts’ dismissal for an eight-yard loss put it in danger of stalling, but the quarterback discovered daylight on a third-and-10 play and finished the third quarter with a 35-yard dash to the Carolina 9-yard line.
The Panthers went offside on the extra point, and Hurts found Calcaterra for a score on third-and-goal from the four. Barkley then made a two-point conversion run. On a day when the Eagles did not play well, it was Calcaterra’s first touchdown reception of his career and the game-winning play.
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The email address of Bob Brookover is [email protected].
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