The Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers 22-16 in Week 14. By doing so, they extend their winning streak to nine games and have improved to 11-2 on the season.
The ninth consecutive win ties the franchise's longest win streak. It didn’t come easy though. The Panthers made the Eagles work for every yard, and fans' feelings are mixed about the performance.
Here are the top takeaways from Philadelphia’s too-close-for-comfort win and what it could mean for the season ahead. Stop us if any of this sounds familiar.
First things first. Saquon Barkley made history on Sunday. He broke LeSean McCoy’s franchise record for single-season rushing yards with 1,623 yards through 13 games.
Barkley was the engine for the Eagles’ offense, finishing with 124 rushing yards on 20 carries. However, it seemed like Kellen Moore didn’t fully utilize his star running back, especially in the first half.
The Eagles ran 29 plays before halftime, but only nine involved Barkley. This seems peculiar seeing as how Philly faced the NFL’s worst-ranked run defense.
With a player of Barkley’s caliber and a run game that’s consistently ranked No. 1 in the league, the Eagles need to rely on their strengths earlier in games. Barkley’s historic season places him in elite company with legends like Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson.
Still, Sunday’s performance highlighted how much more he could contribute if given the ball consistently.
Despite their impressive record, the Eagles’ offense continues to struggle early in games. They have scored just 17 first-quarter points all season.
Against the Panthers, the slow start was evident again as the Eagles couldn’t find a rhythm until late in the second quarter. Jalen Hurts finished with three total touchdowns and 61 rushing yards, but the game began with him taking unnecessary sacks and missing open receivers.
Hurts and the offense eventually found their footing with a seven-play, 44-yard drive capped by a touchdown to DeVonta Smith. However, these first-quarter woes raise concerns about how the Eagles will fare against playoff-caliber teams.
Kellen Moore must find a way to get the offense into a rhythm earlier, especially with skill players like A.J. Brown and Barkley available to make big plays.
While the Eagles’ defense allowed 16 points, they were bludgeoned time and time again. But, they made crucial plays when it mattered most. Darius Slay returned from injury and enjoyed his best game of the season.
His highlight reel included two fourth-down pass breakups. His second was a game-ender. That stopped Bryce Young’s attempt to connect with Adam Thielen late in the fourth quarter. Slay’s veteran savvy and timely plays were vital in keeping the Eagles’ winning streak alive.
The young defensive line and linebackers also stepped up. Jalen Carter and Zack Baun made impactful plays. Baun finished with 11 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss. Carter logged three QB hits and two tackles for a loss of yardage.
While the defense lacked their usual physicality against Carolina, they proved they could still close out games under pressure.
Jake Elliott’s performance continues to raise eyebrows after missing a 52-yard field goal on Sunday. He’s now 0-for-5 from beyond 50 yards this season, a stark contrast to his usual reliability.
Elliott’s inconsistency is forcing the Eagles to make tough decisions in key moments, such as punting instead of attempting a long field goal late in the fourth quarter. With the playoffs looming, Elliott’s struggles could become a liability for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
While his history suggests he can bounce back, the Eagles may need to evaluate their options. They're heading into the postseason. They need their kicker, and it would be nice to know their kicker is confident in his ability to knock long-range attempts through the uprights.
The Eagles’ ability to win ugly has been a hallmark of their season, but Sunday’s game against the Panthers revealed lingering issues that could haunt them during the playoffs. Slow offensive starts, Barkley's underutilization, and inconsistency in the kicking game are all areas that need immediate attention.
Despite the flaws, the Eagles are 11-2, and as mentioned, nine consecutive wins ties the longest winning streak in franchise history. Philly's resilience and knack for finding ways to win are undeniable strengths.
With a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the 10-3 Steelers on the horizon, the Eagles must address these issues quickly. The goal is to maintain their momentum and secure home-field advantage, but if they play a game identical to the one we just saw, their streak will end.