The Carolina Panthers have turned one strong showing into a little more national faith heading into Week 6.
After knocking off the Detroit Lions 32-26 on Sunday night in Week 4, Carolina showed up in the latest round of expert picks with plenty more support than it had before. Going into that prime-time upset, only four of the 39 experts tracked had backed the Panthers. This time around, the numbers tilt their way again as they head to face the wounded Philadelphia Eagles.
Across the outlets surveyed, the Panthers finished with 27 picks to the Eagles’ 16.
USA Today Sports split almost evenly, with Panthers picks from Nick Brinkerhoff, Nate Davis and Adam Kaufman, while Jarrett Bell, Chris Bumbaca and Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz took Philadelphia.
NFL Media leaned Panthers as well, with Brandon Perna, Tom Grossi, Nick Shook, Dan Parr, Lance Zierlein and Bucky Brooks going with Carolina. Colleen Wolfe, Brooke Cersosimo, Grant Gordon and Kevin Patra picked the Eagles.
ESPN was the strongest pro-Panthers group of the bunch. Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Kalyn Kahler, Eric Moody, Jason Reid, Benjamin Solak and Lindsey Thiry all chose Carolina, while Dan Graziano, Pamela Maldonado and Seth Wickersham backed Philadelphia.
CBS Sports also landed on the Panthers side, with Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg picking Carolina. Pete Prisco was the lone Eagles selection there.
Pro Football Talk was a clean sweep in Philadelphia’s favor, with Mike Florio taking the Eagles and no Panthers pick.
Sports Illustrated split right down the middle. Albert Breer, Eva Geithheim, Mike Kadlick and Gilberto Manzano went with the Panthers, while Mitch Goldich, Conor Orr, John Pluym and Matt Verderame chose the Eagles.
So while Carolina is still the underdog on paper, the expert consensus has clearly warmed to what the Panthers are bringing into Week 6.
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Panthers Fans Have One Eagles Player To Watch Very Closely
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Dan Morgan and his staff are expected to use the upcoming game to take a hard look at the Eagles roster, which only adds to the intrigue around Woolen. Dallas Goedert and Landon Dickerson are also on the list, but the Panthers focus appears more likely to land on the defensive backfield as they weigh where a move could help most. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Could Get 3 Key Pieces Back Right Before Eagles Game
The Panthers got a timely boost this week when Trevor Etienne, Taylor Moton and Tershawn Wharton were all designated to return to practice, giving Carolina a chance to strengthen three important spots before facing the Eagles. Each player was a full participant in Fridays session, and all three are listed as questionable heading into the matchup, a welcome development for a team trying to get healthier at the right time.
Dave Canales said Etienne is expected to be activated to the roster, while Moton and Wharton could also be back in the lineup. For Carolina, the real question now is how much of that trio will be available when the game kicks off, and whether the Panthers can turn a promising practice week into a meaningful boost against one of the leagues tougher opponents. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Face A Few Matchups That Could Decide Everything In Philly
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Hunts work against Jalen Carter is the obvious heavyweight matchup, but the passing-game wrinkles may end up carrying as much weight for Carolina. McMillan and Coker will have to navigate tight coverage from Riq Woolen and Cooper DeJean, while Okerekes job gets complicated by Dallas Goederts involvement in the middle of the field. For a Panthers team trying to build momentum out of the bye, these one-on-one snaps could tell the story long before the fourth quarter does. [Read more 🡒]