The big question for Sunday’s Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers matchup is whether Carolina star running back Christian McCaffrey will play. Probably not. Which way to lean at BMR’s top-rated sportsbooks?
Sunday, October 10, 2021 – 01:00 PM EDT at Bank of America Stadium
Fox has the telecast of this NFC matchup. Keep in mind there is one fewer game in the early window this season because the Jets and Falcons are playing at 9:30 a.m. ET in London.
I consider both these teams in semi-rebuilding mode, although I suppose Carolina could compete for a wild-card spot this year. Also think there are major long-term questions at quarterback for both clubs – both of whom likely would jump at trading for Houston’s Deshaun Watson. Of course, Watson starred in not far from the Panthers’ home in Charlotte at Clemson.
Philadelphia is 7-5 all-time vs. Carolina including playoffs. They haven’t met since 2018 when the Eagles were 21-17 home winners. The two QBs that day were Carson Wentz (now with Indianapolis) and Cam Newton (out of the NFL).
The Eagles are also 3-1 against the spread on NFL picks in their past four at Carolina.
Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is putting up some serious fantasy football numbers, but he’s basically the entire offense right now and this is simply a bad team. Hurts is completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards, seven TDs and two picks while having rushed for 226 yards and a score.
For some reason, the Eagles aren’t using gifted tailback Miles Sanders that much with just 36 carries for 168 yards and in fact splitting time between him and rookie Kenneth Gainwell (19 carries, 84 yards, two TDs). Rookie first-round receiver DeVonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman winner, has been just OK with 18 catches for 237 yards and a TD.
The Eagles have definitely had some injury issues, especially on the offensive line. Pro Bowler Lane Johnson missed last Sunday’s 42-30 loss to Kansas City for undisclosed personal reasons. Presuming he will play here. Left tackle Jordan Mailata (knee) missed his third straight game, while left guard Isaac Seumalo (foot) is out for the year and Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks (pectoral) is on injured reserve. On Tuesday, the team put guard Sua Opeta on the COVID list. The defense also is without a key plyer in end Brandon Graham, who is done for the year.
Under first-year coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles have been very undisciplined as they lead the NFL with 44 penalties, a franchise record through four games. They had three touchdowns taken off the board because of penalties against the Chiefs.
Philadelphia is 1-7 ATS on the NFL picks in its past eight road games.
It was hard to know how good Carolina was at 3-0 entering last Sunday’s game in Dallas because the Panthers had beaten two truly horrible teams (Jets and Texans) and one so-so one (Saints).
Well, the Cowboys dominated in a 36-28 win. The Panthers’ previously top-rated defense was shredded for 433 yards, including 245 on the ground. Offensively, Sam Darnold threw for 301 yards and two scores but also had two picks.
Darnold all of a sudden is running a lot as he had two TD rushes as well. Darnold is the first quarterback in NFL history to record five rushing touchdowns in his team’s first four games of a season and sixth quarterback since 1970 to record multiple rushing TDs in consecutive games. He had only five rushing touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons with the New York Jets. Darnold was hit 11 times and sacked five times in the loss to the Cowboys as that offensive line struggled.
Carolina played Week 4 without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey and he hasn’t been ruled out yet with a hamstring injury, but it would be an upset if he plays. Canadian Chuba Hubbard had 13 carries for 57 yards in his first career start with McCaffrey out because of a hamstring injury.
Top linebacker Shaq Thompson injured his foot in the Dallas loss and is going to miss a while. He leads the team with 25 tackles and has a sack and pick. That’s a major loss. Even after the Dallas defeat, Carolina’s defense ranks third in yards (251.5) and points (16.5) allowed per game.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their past five following an ATS loss. I will hope this gets below 3 points at some point this week but it may not drop that far – might be smart to wait on a wager until getting McCaffrey’s status.
NFL Pick: Panthers at -3.5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
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