(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
It wasn’t too long ago that I said this stretch would make or break the Eagles season. I said we would see what the Eagles were all about come October. So far the in October, the Eagles have lost to the Vikings and beaten the Giants on Thursday night. Before the Vikings game, I had dim outlook on what the Eagles would look like at the end of October. I knew the Vikings would be difficult and thought the Giants on a short week could create a problem. I didn’t even want to look ahead to the games with the Panthers and Jaguars. Now that we are 48 hours away from the Panthers game, I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The Panthers suddenly look vulnerable after struggling with the Giants and losing to the Redskins. The Jaguars also look vulnerable after losing 3 of their last 4. It doesn’t look as far-fetched to think the Eagles can finish October with two wins and get to 5-3 before the bye. When the Eagles were at 2-3, I don’t think that was a statement I would have felt comfortable saying. 5-3 going into bye would be the perfect scenario. They would get the bye to help get them ready for a Sunday night matchup at home with Dallas. A game I know most Eagles fans have circled on their calendars.
Now, back to this Sunday. The Panthers have dropped two of their last three to the Eagles. Cam Newton specifically tends to struggle against the Eagles for one reason or another. The Panthers have struggled on the road this season and the Eagles usually thrive at home. After losing at home to the Vikings, I can’t see a scenario where they lose two games in a row at the Linc. The Eagles have been too good at home under Doug Pederson for that to happen. The Panthers defense is still a solid unit. I don’t expect the Eagles offense to just go up and down the field on them. The Eagles will have to work for everything on Sunday. However, come 4:15 on Sunday, I expect the birds to come away with the win. I like the Eagles 23-17 before headed to London to play the Jags.
