Carolina Panthers V Philadelphia Eagles recap
The Philadelphia Eagles continued their impressive run in the NFL, clinching their ninth consecutive victory with a 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. This win solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the league, improving their record to 11-2 and placing them firmly in the No. 2 spot in the NFC, just behind the Detroit Lions, who hold a 12-1 record.
The standout performer of the day was Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 124 yards, breaking the Eagles' single-season rushing record previously held by LeSean McCoy. Barkley, in a bid for the MVP award, achieved this milestone with an impressive 9-yard run in the fourth quarter. With this performance, he has now accumulated 1,623 rushing yards this season, surpassing McCoy's record of 1,607 yards set in 2013. With four games remaining in the season, Barkley is poised to further extend his record.
While Barkley shone on the ground, quarterback Jalen Hurts contributed significantly to the Eagles' offense, throwing two touchdown passes and adding a rushing touchdown of his own. Hurts completed 14 of 21 passes for 108 yards, showcasing his ability to manage the game effectively despite not having eye-popping statistics. His most crucial connection came when he hit Grant Calcaterra with a 4-yard touchdown pass, which helped the Eagles secure a 22-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. Barkley also contributed to the score by successfully converting a 2-point attempt.
Despite the Eagles' overall dominance, the game was not without its challenges. The Panthers, struggling with a record of 3-10, put up a commendable fight, led by rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Young displayed resilience, completing 19 of 34 passes for 191 yards and managing to drive the Panthers into Eagles territory on their final drive. The Panthers made a significant push, with Young completing a crucial 13-yard pass on fourth down to keep their hopes alive. A second-down pass to receiver Xavier Legette briefly gave the Eagles fans a scare as it seemed Legette had caught the ball in the end zone. However, the play was ruled incomplete, and Young's final fourth-down attempt fell short, sealing the Eagles' victory.