For the past 3 weeks, the Eagles were challenged in different ways. The Commanders, Rams, and Ravens all provided unique challenges the Eagles had not faced yet. They won all 3 anyway, even though 2 of those games were on the road.

Related: 6 Impressive Numbers From Eagles Big Win Over The Ravens

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

This week, at least on paper, they should have it much easier. The Panthers are not the complete pushovers they looked like earlier in the season. They have played much better since Bryce Young came back from being benched. They may have lost the last two weeks, but you could argue they outplayed both the Chiefs and the Bucs.

Still, in terms of talent, they are the weakest opponent they have faced in the past several weeks. Even the Cowboys offered more of a challenge based solely on talent. As I am writing this, the Eagles are 12.5-point home favorites. If that holds, it would be the most points they have been favored by all season long.

The Eagles have shown they take care of business when playing an opponent they should beat. They have even dominated against many of the tough teams they played. So while anything can happen in the NFL, you should be able to pencil in a win here.

But how much better are they really? What weaknesses do the Panthers have that the Eagles can exploit? Is there anything we should be worried about with this matchup?

If all goes to plan, these following players should have massive games to help them cruise to a win. They are simply a more talented and competent team than the Panthers. Even with Carolina finding a little bit of life in recent weeks, this should be a stress-free game. Here is why.

Here Are 6 Eagles Players Who Should Have Great Games vs. the Panthers:

• Saquon Barkley and the Eagles O-Line

  The Ravens are one of the toughest run defenses in the league. No RB had topped 70 yards vs them before Saquon went over 100. It was a down game by Saquon’s standards, but still a great game for him overall. Now he goes from going up against potentially the best run defense, to arguably the worst in the whole league.

  In 12 games, the Panthers have given up 1,652 yards to RBs. That is 137.7 per game. RBs have run for over 200 yards against them 3 times this season. Saquon is chasing Eric Dickerson’s record, and this week is a great chance for him to keep doing that. If Bucky Irving, no disrespect, is running for over 150 vs them just last week, think of what Saquon, who just ran all over the Ravens, can do to them. Especially if this game gets out of hand early and the Eagles just start running it to bleed the clock.

  But let’s not leave the O-Line out of this. They play a huge part in Saquon’s big numbers. There is a reason Saquon leads the league in yards before contact. Meanwhile, the Panthers are bottom in the league in run-stop win rate. The combination of the Panthers being the worst run D in the league, and the Eagles run offense being unstoppable, should have Saquon racking up the yards, and maybe even getting to sit in the 4th quarter once the game is put away.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "DON'T LET SAQUON GET HOT.📺: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RxqsLUp7cc / X"

  DON'T LET SAQUON GET HOT.📺: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RxqsLUp7cc

• Jalen Carter

  This is true for Carter every week. He has dominated nearly every game, even if the counting stats dont always reflect that. Even while getting double-teamed more than almost anyone, playing more snaps than anyone, and being held more often than anyone, he still dominates. Vs the Ravens he not only had a sack and 2 QB hits, but he also helped his teammates get pressure. Dont take my word for it, this is what Vic Fanbgio himself said.

  “We all have (benefitted). He’s caused some sacks for other people by applying the early pressure that makes the quarterback move and buys time for somebody else to get there. But really our team and our defense has prospered because of his play.”

  Now he gets to face one of the weaker O-lines he has gone up against. The Panthers are 28th in Pass Block Win Rate. Jalen Carter should eat all game long. Even if he doesn’t get the sack himself, expect him to once again help his teammates get some sacks or pressures. And maybe Fangio calling it out will finally get him some holding calls.

  Ed Kracz on X (formerly Twitter): "Vic Fangio asked about what he can do to help Jalen Carter get through some of the holding being done against him. "I don't know. You got any ideas?" Then added there was one play where he was egregiously held and pulled to the ground but it didn't get called pic.twitter.com/OyMZGHJyA9 / X"

  Vic Fangio asked about what he can do to help Jalen Carter get through some of the holding being done against him. "I don't know. You got any ideas?"

• Cooper DeJean

  Eagles had faced tough passing attacks in each of the last 3 weeks. The Panthers do not fit that bill. One man did all the damage for them last week, Adam Thielen. Thielen is 34 years old though.

  He spends most of his time in the slot. Which means it will fall on Cooper DeJean to stop him. But with the competition DeJean has faced, it is tough to see a 34-year-old Theilen being the one to finally beat DeJean. Expect it to be another great week for the Eagles young slot corner. That also goes for Quinyon Mitchell, but the Panthers outside WRs aren’t even worth talking about, especially with Diontae Johnson being in Baltimore now.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "Cooper DeJean takes down Derrick Henry 💪📺: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Lwq9S0PfZo / X"

  Cooper DeJean takes down Derrick Henry 💪📺: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Lwq9S0PfZo

• Grant Calcaterra

  Dallas Goedert is going to be out for a bit. Which means it falls to Calcaterra. He is nowhere near the blocker Goedert is. But he made some plays when Goedert was out the first time, including 67 yards vs the Browns. The Panthers have been killed by Tight Ends this season. They have given up 67 catches, 756 yards, and 9 TDs to TEs this season so far. They have allowed the most Fantasy Points to TEs this season. It might be a decent week for Calcaterra to catch his first career TD.

  Philadelphia Eagles on X (formerly Twitter): "Grant Calcaterra celebrating #NationalTightEndsDay 😁 pic.twitter.com/DOm7rnYOXG / X"

  Grant Calcaterra celebrating #NationalTightEndsDay 😁 pic.twitter.com/DOm7rnYOXG

   

• Milton Williams

  We already talked about how much Carter helps his teammates. Well, the guy who has benefited the most might be Milton Williams. He had a monster game vs the Ravens, leading the team with 9 pressures. In fact he has the highest pressure rate for any DT this season through 13 weeks. This play obviously didn’t work out for the Eagles, but it is an example of what Williams has been doing to Offensive Guards all year long.

  Shawn Syed on X (formerly Twitter): "Milton Williams (93) forklift over LG pic.twitter.com/7P4vEEG1eh / X"

  Milton Williams (93) forklift over LG pic.twitter.com/7P4vEEG1eh

  The interior of the Panthers’ O-line is the weakest part of that unit. Their two lowest-graded linemen are inside.  If Carter is winning, Williams will win too.

• Lane Johnson

  The Panthers do not generate much pressure. Jadeveon Clowney is the one guy on the team that has over 20 pressures through 12 games. He rushes mostly from the left side. Unfortunately for him, the left side of the defense is the right side of the OL, so if he is going to rush from that side, he has to battle with Lane Johnson. Good luck with that.

  If Lane shuts down Clowney, Hurts should have all the time he needs to make his throws. I feel like this might end up being a game where they barely throw it 20 times, just because it will get out of hand fast, and the run game will work really well. But when they do pass, Lane will make sure the Panthers 1 dangerous pass rusher doesn’t get to Hurts.

  

Sign Up For The Fanatic MVP Insider Newsletter

Get the info you need on the Philly Sports landscape, events you need to know about, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.