Now that we are into the NFL 2015-16 Regular Season Week 7 we have a Sunday Night Football game on the 25th of October 2015 with the Eagles of Philadelphia 3-3 (NFC East) playing the Panthers of Carolina 5-0 (NFC South) with the game being played at the Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina with kick-off scheduled for 8:35 PM ET and seen on NBC TV.
The early Vegas odds for those that Bet on NFL have the 5-0 Panthers of Carolina the favorites at -3 with the Over/under at 45 ½ and -155 on the Money Line, while the 3-3 Eagles are the underdogs at +3 and +135 on the Money Line. This Sunday night game brings together the Eagles who are coming off a wild game on MNF against the Giants, and now on Sunday night face the undefeated Panthers who need to be cautious in this game as the Eagles have returned to their winning ways.
If you’re a fan of the 3-3 Eagles of Philadelphia your team’s defense saved the game for the offense in the 27-23 win over rivals Giants of New York. Their CB N. Carroll II made an interception that he returned some 18 yards for a TD, and LB D. Ryans also intercepted a pass from QB E. Manning of the Giants.
Their defensive front seven were a sacking bunch, as V. Curry had 1 ½ sacks, and F. Cox had a sack and B. Graham shard a sack with V. Curry, the created a difficult time for Giants QB E. Manning. That same group forced the Giants to commit 2 intentional groundings that led to penalties against the Giants, and resulted in a great night for the Eagles pass rush in the game. The Eagles defense should have a fairly easy game against the Panthers problematic QB C. Newton, especially if they force early throws that could result in turnovers, since in his last 5 games he has thrown 4 interceptions.
The Eagles offense has improved, but still has some corrections to make. Like their WR J. Matthews lost a fumble while RB D. Murray fumbled but recovered, and then worst their QB S. Bradford had a bad game with 3 intercepts and from the shotgun fumbled a snap from center. Thus, in that last game with the Giants the managed 4 turnovers and that needs improvement.
For the Eagles QB Bradford this game could be difficult since the Panthers have one of the best defenses against the pass, as their defense have allowed the 5th lowest rate against QB’s at 59.3 to date this season, and that includes games against the Seahawks QB Wilson and Saints QB Brees.
But in this game the Eagles running offense could assist QB Bradford another time, sine RB Murray finally had a good game with his 22 carries for 110 yards and 1 TD, and 2 touchdowns, 1 in each of his last 2 games. Plus RB R. Matthews in the last 2 games has some 17 carries for 115 yards.
However, the Eagles RB’s Murray and Matthews will be facing very strong defensive front seven of Carolina, even as the Panthers are ranked in the league at 12th against the run as they have allowed opponents to only average 96.4 yards rushing each game.
For the fans of the 5-0 Panthers of Carolina the team ended their 4 game loss streak at the Century Link Field as your QB C. Newton completed a 26 yard pass for a TD to TE G. Newton to take the lead in the game, and that drive capped a comeback as the Panthers had 2 consecutive 80 yard drives for touchdowns in the final 4 minutes of the game which they won 27-23 after coming into the 4th quarter trailing on the scoreboard 23-14 in the game.
The Panthers QB C. Newton had a great game as he completed some 12 of his 15 passing attempts for 164 yards only in the 4th quarter and 2 touchdowns and for the game passed for a total of 270 yards. However, the also threw 2 interceptions on which Seattle turned into 2 field goals and 6 points in the game.
Defensively the Eagles have struggled against the passing game of opponents this season as they have allowed 261 yards passing each game. That should open up some passing lanes for QB Newton and receiver Olsen, but they still need their running game to give them support in this game.
In their game against the Seahawks the Panthers RB J. Stewart had his best game to date as he had 20 carries for 80 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in that game. He may find the going a bit more difficult against the Eagles as they have only allowed 1 TD via the rush this season. But RB Stewart’s threat to break away on the run will help his QB Newton. Plus QB Newton can also run the ball as against the Seahawks he carried the ball 7 times and a score, and to date in 2015 he has 3 touchdowns via the run.
The Panthers defense has had a special knack this season as the pick off their opposing QB’s and this season are 3rd in the league with 8 interceptions to date, and that include 2 that they returned for touchdowns. Their leader for interceptions has been CB J. Norman who presently has league high 4 interceptions, of which 2 went for touchdowns and has a forced fumble to add to his stats. Thus they will look for CB Norman to intercept Eagles QB Bradford whom in his last 2 games has thrown some 5 intercepts in those 2 games.
The sportsbook prediction for this game is that the Panthers of Carolina will win at home with a blowout of the Eagles of Philadelphia.