Eagles vs. Panthers: Highlights, game tracker and more

The Philadelphia Eagles faced the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season. Here are highlights from the game.

Another week of football is here and once again, Thursday Night Football kicked things off. The Philadelphia Eagles traveled to Charlotte, NC to take on the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Each team entered the week 4-1 and in first place in their respective divisions. However, both were looking to establish themselves on this early proving ground for the NFC.

In a matchup that was expected to feature plenty of defensive plays, they started coming right out of the gate. Carson Wentz appeared to be starting a solid drive for the Eagles. However, Julius Peppers showed that he still has plenty left in the tank as he came off the edge and got after the quarterback. He took him down, and knocked the ball loose in the process — his Panthers recovered.

Unfortunately, Cam Newton and the Carolina offense were unable to capitalized, going three-and-out. The two teams then traded field goals on their next drives, keeping things level, which is how they stayed for a bit after, including a four-play drive from Philly and then a trade-off of three-and-outs. However, the Panthers got a boost off a 25-yard Christian McCaffrey punt return that gave them great field position. They took advantage, going 43 yards in four plays as Newton ran it in for the 16-yard touchdown run.

It looked as if Carolina could take over the game going into the half, but Newton then threw a pass midway through the second quarter that was a bit errant. Rasul Douglas took it for the Eagles, giving them the ball on the 12-yard line. Wentz found tight end Zach Ertz for a one-yard school before the Eagles defense stopped the Panthers to end the half at 10-10.

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The Panthers got the ball to open the half and looked to seize momentum at home. However, Newton then threw another interception while backed up, this one nabbed by Patrick Robinson. Again Philly capitalized with a touchdown throw to Ertz, this time followed by a good two-point conversion attempt to pull ahead 18-10.

Carolina answered the Eagles touchdown with a field goal to cap off a seven-play, 63-yard drive. However, the Eagles relied on the strong leg of Jake Elliott on the next drive as the rookie answered from 48 yards to push the lead back to eight points. A three-and-out for each team then led to another Panthers field goal, but that’s when the visitors started to pull away.

Aided by a big third-down pass to rookie Mack Hollins on the drive following the field goal and then a 37-yard toss to Alshon Jeffery, the Eagles were cooking. 24 yards away from the end zone, they got Nelson Agholor lined up with Shaq Thompson and went to town as the wideout burned the linebacker for a touchdown, 28-16.

Newton then orchestrated a great drive, that was almost capped off by a wild diving touchdown by the quarterback. He was ruled to have come up short, though, and had to settle for a touchdown toss to Christian McCaffrey, making it 28-23. After the defense mustered up a three-and-out, the Panthers would have another chance. However, after 10 plays, Newton let a throw sail on him and Jalen Mills nabbed it for the third interception of the night.

Again, though, the Eagles offense stalled and gave Carolina another chance. But once again, the Panthers offense didn’t have it. They turned the ball over on downs as Newton’s fourth-down throw to McCaffrey fell short. That allowed Philly to run out the clock and secure the big win.

Highlights

Next: 2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 6

As good as each team’s weapons are, it really comes down to Wentz and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. These two are the leaders of their respective franchises and will be instrumental in the outcome of this game.