For much of the season, the Eagles have started slow before picking it up in the second half and finding a way to get the job done.

That was largely the same on Sunday afternoon in a six-point win against the Panthers, though this time they scared the absolute bejesus out of us and Carolina dropped a touchdown pass that probably would have won them the game. It’s the type of performance where you go outside and smoke a cigarette afterwards, or maybe hit the liquor bottle or ingest your edible of choice. Whatever lowers your blood pressure and normalizes your heart rate.

It was an uninspiring afternoon, considering the gap in quality between the teams, but this was a Carolina squad that was playing much better football in recent weeks and not exactly being blown out of the water. Throw in the fact that the Birds were coming off a tough win in Baltimore, and the “let down” narrative is totally reasonable.

The game was trappish in the sense that it was sandwiched between the Ravens and Steelers, and you’ve got this house money opponent trying multiple fourth down attempts from start to finish. Nothing to lose if you’re the Panthers, who threw everything they had at the Eagles. The Birds took their best shot and found a way, despite not being anywhere close to their best.

A win is a win and “we look forward to the challenge of playing the Pittsburgh Steelers,” as Andy Reid used to say.


1) Chauncey Gardner-Johnson LAYING THE WOOD on the opening drive. That’s how you set the tone, with a clean and legal hit. He got banged up on the 2nd drive but was back for the 3rd, just took a hit from teammate Tristin McCollum.

2) Every time I hear Chuba Hubbard’s name, I think of the awkward video of him and Mike Gundy issuing a statement after Hubbard basically threatened to stop playing because Gundy wore a One America News t-shirt on a fishing trip:

3) The penalty and sack killed the first Eagles’ drive. You put yourself behind the sticks a couple of times and it results in another opening possession in which the Birds failed to score. They actually do not have a TD on the opening drive this season. Thirteen games, no first-drive touchdowns.

4) Somehow, some way, Jalen Hurts lost yardage on this play, running into Lane Johnson instead of just following Saquon Barkley through the B gap:

5) They got popped again for ineligible man downfield. This time Mekhi Becton on a nice gain for Grant Calcaterra. The refs have been calling it a lot this season, not just against the Eagles.

6) First touchdown – why not tush push on second down? Because you’ve got 3rd and 4th down to do it. No issue with them going tempo and running Saquon there because you figure they’re gonna get the yard more often than not. They didn’t, but that’s when the shove comes into play.

7) Jalen Hurts anytime touchdown scorer continues to be the best bet out there.

8) 14 plays, 69 yards, 7:48 off the clock for the first Panthers touchdown. They converted on 3rd and 8, 3rd and 2, and 4th and goal. The defense made some decent plays on that drive but couldn’t get off the field. The story of the afternoon.

9) Maybe this is an unfair take, but CJGJ was all over the place after he came back from his initial visit to the medical tent. There were a couple of plays where he was really conservative, and seemed hesitant to close the gap, then in the 4th quarter he came barreling forward like a missile, missed a Carolina player, and hurt himself colliding with Zack Baun. You wonder how much that first incident of friendly fire was affecting him.

Regardless, he made up for it with the interception right before halftime that got the Eagles into Carolina’s side of the field.

10) Hurts threw high for 6’6″ Johnny Wilson on 3rd and 7. Probably his most underwhelming half of football during the win streak. The fact that he avoided that sack right before halftime to move the sticks was nothing short of miraculous, and made the difference between some points and no points.

11) A.J. Brown didn’t have a target until there was 1:15 on the clock in the second quarter. The route? A slant, of course. And his second target? Another slant. Then, on the touchdown, another slant for A.J. with DeVonta Smith using a pick to get free in the corner. Really nice drive from Kellen Moore.

12) You do wonder if the Eagles got away with one on that TD. Jahan Dotson ran two guys right into each other, but no whistle. Similar to what Carolina did on their first score, without the collision. Maybe the refs just decided to swallow it on both plays:

13) Jake Elliott: 0 for 5 from 50+ this year. Then he missed an extra point that was nullified because of offside. The result was a lack of confidence in sending him out there to try a 54-yarder that would have more or less ended the game. It’s a problem. The Washington performance may be less of an aberration than we thought.

14) Appreciate Mark Sanchez using the term “worm burner” in this one.

15) 4th and 2 and Jalen Carter deflects a pass that goes right into Adam Thielen’s arms. Not much you can do about that one. They played it well and got unlucky.

16) Cooper DeJean had a tough time with Thielen. Savvy vet vs. rookie and the former had the better day. Probably DeJean’s roughest outing.

17) Hurts’ 35-yard, 3rd and 10 scramble was the product of what everyone was asking him to do last year. Step up in the pocket when it starts to collapse and then take off, instead of trying to bail to your right. That was a turning point in the game and the difference between a 16-14 deficit and a 22-16 lead.

18) Sanchez is one of those guys who says “foe-ward” instead of “forward.”

19) Good on Calcaterra for getting his first NFL touchdown. He’s played well this season. He also gets irrationally excited after every big play and you need a guy like that on your team.

20) Saquon set the Eagles’ single-season rushing record of 1,615 yards. He needed fewer than 13 games to do it.

21) Not sure what Hurts was doing when he took that late sack to create a 2nd and 19. It looked like an RPO but he pulled and didn’t throw it. Thank God for Brown, because they converted on 3rd and long to keep the sticks and the clock moving.

22) Same story from Jalen in this game. Some good, some bad, but making a difference with off-script runs while protecting the ball. He’s now gone eight of nine games during this winning streak without a turnover. No fumbles, no interceptions, just the two giveaways in Dallas. You just wonder if it’s going to be enough if they eventually find themselves against Detroit or someone else in the playoffs.

23) It may have been game over if the refs saw that facemask on Calcaterra. You’re looking at what, 1st down, three minutes left, Carolina with one timeout and the two minute warning?

24) Braden Mann was incredibly good in Baltimore, and followed it up with a 39-yarder that Avonte Maddox caught inside the three. Beautiful special teams play.

25) Gotta tip the cap to Young on that 3rd and 11 play from the end zone. He gets out of the pocket, Josh Sweat is hanging from his legs, and he squares up to to find Xavier Legette and move the sticks. Incredible stuff.

26) Difference between a win and a loss right here: