Despite the loss in audience share that both ESPN-TV and the Eagles Eye Livefyre show will suffer tonight due to the mundane nature of this MNF matchup, there will be some genuine Eagles fans and students of the sport who will find the entertainment and the educational values…
Therefore, let's strap it up and get into this game… try to ignore the Philly geek show that will be rooting for Andy and the Eagles to fail tonight. Let's win one for our regular Livefyre contributor PPW, who's dying in a hospital room as we speak…
TV/Radio: ESPN. WIP-FM 94.1(Philadelphia), WIP-AM 610 (Philadelphia), WTTM 1680 AM (Philadelphia, Spanish).
Latest lines: Panthers, minus 2.5. Over-under, 40.5.
Coaches: Ron Rivera (2nd season, 8-18), Andy Reid (14th season, 139-97-1).
Overall series: 5-2, Eagles.
Key match-ups: As with Robert Griffin III last week, the Eagles will again have their hands full with a versatile quarterback. Carolina’s Cam Newton is in the midst of a sophomore slump, but has still managed to throw for 2,395 yards through 10 games and rush for 394 on just 74 attempts.
After a spectacular rookie season, Newton has turned the ball over at a slightly higher clip and has shown his immaturity through the media. But the Eagles showed last week that they’re hopeless against even a rookie quarterback, and Newton might put his season back on track Monday.
– Eagles QB Nick Foles and RB Bryce Brown vs. Carolina defense:
The Carolina defense has allowed just three teams — Atlanta, New York Giants and Denver — to score over 30 points this season and in the pass-happy NFL, that is an accomplishment. The Panthers have held Drew Brees under 30, Griffin III to just 13 and nearly upset the Bears four weeks ago in a 23-22 loss.
Rookie quarterbacks are typically a little sharper in their second start, so Foles has that going for him Monday. Bryce Brown will take over for the injured LeSean McCoy, and while he has shown flashes, is still learning the speed and the many facets of the NFL game.
Fun Facts.. The Eagles 2004 NFC Championship game loss to the Panthers (14-3) was the fewest combined points in a game for this series. … Carolina head coach Ron Rivera was the linebackers coach for the Eagles from 1999-2003. … Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott spent 12 years on the Eagles staff before being replaced by Juan Castillo.
Looking ahead: The Eagles travel to Dallas on Dec. 2 for an 8:30 p.m. game, while Carolina faces Kansas City on the road at 1 p.m.
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