The Inquirer’s Eagles-Panthers Predictions

The Inquirer's Eagles beat reporters predict tonight's Eagles-Panthers game:

Will Mark Sanchez do enough to win his first start in nearly two years?

Jeff McLane: It's been nearly two years since Sanchez won a game as a starting quarterback. It's been a long road to this point -- a benching in New York, a season-ending shoulder injury and half a season behind Nick Foles with the Eagles -- and I think we'll see a different Sanchez than the one we saw at the end of his tenure with the Jets. I think we've written enough about why he should do fine in Chip Kelly's system. Let's take a gander at why the matchup against the Panthers should benefit the Eagles. You have to look first at the Carolina secondary. It's been struggling all season. Cornerback Antoine Cason has been picked on by opposing quarterbacks and has allowed 45 catches on 55 targets. He hasn't given up a large number of big plays, but he's susceptible underneath. Think Bradley Fletcher. I could see Sanchez utilizing the Eagles' bubble screen game.

But Sanchez' best friend should be the run game. It's amazing to think that that a run defense that was ranked second in the NFL last season is now last in the league in rushing yards per play. The Panthers have been without Greg Hardy, but a defense with arguably the game's best middle linebacker in Luke Kuechly shouldn't be that porous. With Evan Mathis back and the run game rounding into form, I could see LeSean McCoy getting fed a lot early. And if he and Darren Sproles and Chris Polk get hot, it'll only open up the play-action for Sanchez. I think this matchup sets up beautifully for Sanchez to earn his first "W" since Dec. 2012.

Zach Berman: I agree that this is a good matchup for Sanchez's first start. What impressed me most about Sanchez in the preseason and last week was his efficiency with the up-tempo style. He looks comfortable in the offense. That will continue on Monday.

I'd expect the Eagles to play more 11-personnel on Sunday and try to take advantage of Carolina's defensive backfield. Pay attention to Jordan Matthews, who obviously has a strong connection with Sanchez. The Panthers have had a rotating group of slot cornerbacks this season. It was undrafted rookie James Dockery in Carolina's mismatch. Dockery has size, but it's still a potential mismatch that Sanchez will look toward. The Panthers also play a heavy nickel with an extra safety.

You mentioned Cason -- he plays the left side, which means he will need to cover Jeremy Maclin. Maclin's been able to get open all season, and I don't think Cason is the cornerback who will lock him down.

The Panthers can generate a pass rush from the interior, so it Mathis, Jason Kelce, and Matt Tobin need to play well. But without Hardy, the Panthers' rush is not what it was last season. Sanchez also gets rid of the ball quickly and can throw on the move, which is a benefit. Carolina will blitz, but I think Sanchez plays well enough in his first start.

There hasn't been much said about Cam Newton this week. Should the Eagles still be worried?

McLane: Newton hasn't been very good this season, but it seems like his issues have had more to do with the injuries on the offensive line and the departure of Steve Smith. Newton relied on Smith a ton. The Panthers let him walk because of his age and salary, but he's still getting it done for the Ravens. The Panthers found a top-flight receiver in the draft in Kelvin Benjamin (40 catches for 589 yards and five touchdowns) and tight end Greg Olson is having a big year, but the pass offense hasn't been consistent. Newton is completing only 57 percent of his passes.

The biggest problem has been the protection up front, though. Newton has been sacked 21 times in eight games. Right tackle Nate Chandler has already allowed five sacks this season. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham should be on high alert rushing off the left side. Newton hasn't helped himself either. He's looked tentative, but that can happen when you've been hurried or hit as often as he has. He's obviously still a threat with his legs, but his 4.5 rushing average is the lowest of his career. The Eagles will probably have a spy on certain plays. My guess would be Nolan Carroll in the dime defense on obvious passing downs.

Berman: They should always be worried about Newton, because he's a dangerous player. But there is simply not enough around Newton besides Benjamin and Olsen. They lack the downfield threat that Smith provided and they miss Jordan Gross on the offensive line. The Panthers will benefit from the return of the left side of their line, but even that's not a game-changer.

I'd expect Carolina to try to pound the Eagles with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. They haven't been on the field in the same game often this season, but when the Panthers have been good in recent years, the running game has helped.

Obviously, the Eagles need to show they can stop the run without DeMeco Ryans. The base defensive line has been stout against the run, so that will help. And Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho are better in those situations than on passing downs, which they likely won't play often.

I agree with you about the dime. I'd expect to see more dime than nickel going forward.

Who is your stud and dud for the Eagles?

McLane: I'll go with Darren Sproles. He's been consistent as heck all season, but hasn't exploded for a few weeks and this seems as good a time as any. He's one more week removed from his knee injury and I think he'll get more than the three carries he got against the Texans last week.

As for a dud, I'll go with Acho. Bill Davis will try to get his linebackers off the field on passing downs, but that doesn't mean the Panthers won't try to utilize Olson and a mismatch in coverage against any one of the Eagles inside linebackers on first or second down.

Berman: My stud is Jordan Matthews. I mentioned above about the matchup and the chemistry he has with Sanchez from the preseason. I've been impressed with the way Matthews has played of late. When I watched Chip Kelly break down Matthews' touchdown, it was evidence of how pleased the Eagles seem to be with Matthews' play in the slot. I think Monday will be Matthews' best game of the season.

My dud will be the other Matthews: Casey Matthews. I preface this by saying I was impressed by the way Matthews filled in for Kendricks, and he's playing better than his reputation might indicate. But replacing Ryans will be tough. I think Carolina has a better night running the ball than if Ryans was playing, which is why I'm going with Matthews on this one.

What is your prediction? 

McLane: The 3-5-1 Panthers remarkably have a chance to take the NFC South lead with a win. The division is wretched. Ron Rivera is a good coach. He can get his players to play and the Panthers, as noted above, still have plenty to play for despite losing three in a row. But I think the Eagles have too much firepower and are much deeper a team. As long as they keep the turnovers down, it should be an easy victory. They'll still have a few mistakes, but I got it Eagles 31, Panthers 17.

Berman: I like this matchup for the Eagles. Unless Sanchez struggles, I see the Eagles winning by a healthy margin. The Panthers scored more than 24 points just once this season. The Eagles have been below 24 points just twice this season – both losses. So if the Eagles lose, it will be because the offense struggles. I don't see that happening, and the Eagles prepare for a hot Packers team this week after a 35-17 win over the Panthers.