Eagles Linebackers vs. Cam Newton
Last season, the Eagles sacked Cam Newton nine times en route to a 45-17 blowout victory over the Carolina Panthers. Don’t expect quite the same result.
Newton was coming off an ankle injury and didn’t possess nearly the strength, speed or all-around elusiveness that makes him such a tough quarterback to bring down. This year, he’s healthy and as dangerous as ever, passing for 1,098 yards and running for 298 through five games. He’s been sacked just 10 times on the season.
The trick is keeping Newton in the pocket and forcing him to throw the football. It’s not that he isn’t a capable passer, but he’s not the most accurate, either, plus the Panthers receivers are not an overly-talented bunch.
Of course, keeping him penned in is easier said than done, and takes a village to accomplish. In their 2014 meeting, the Eagles used Connor Barwin as the quarterback spy quite a bit, which we’ll likely see again. Jordan Hicks and possibly Mychal Kendricks could see action in that role as well. Meanwhile, Barwin and Brandon Graham need to keep contain on the edges when they’re rushing Newton and take away his ability to roll out.
Newton doesn’t have many weapons, but has the ability to make a play single-handedly at any given moment. Limit those opportunities to get outside the pocket, and the Panthers offense should stall.
NFL
DeMarco Murray vs. Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis
Speaking of linebackers, the Carolina Panthers have one of if not the very best duos in the NFL in Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Kuechly is a tackling machine, going over 150 takedowns in all three of his first pro seasons. Davis is an all-around playmaker, already with 2.0 sacks, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble through five games this season.
Both Kuechly and Davis are capable of making plays all over the field, both in the passing and running games, but where they might hurt the Eagles most on Sunday is the run. If DeMarco Murray hesitates and tries to bounce the play outside, those guys have the speed to run him down for no gain or a loss.
While Murray’s earlier struggles were largely a result of the struggling offensive line, there have been examples where the reigning NFL rushing champ froze up in the hole or didn’t cut up the field. He might be passing up on only minimal gains in certain instances, but it’s better than the alternative.
Monday’s game against the Giants was easily Murray’s most decisive. He identified holes and exploded through the crease with a full head of steam. He needs that to carry over into Week 7 against a Panthers defense that is holding backs to just under 4.0 yards per carry, or Kuechly and Davis are going to feast, and Eagles drives will come to a screeching halt.
Sam Bradford vs. Josh Norman
Josh Norman has gone from relative unknown to the most dangerous cornerback in the NFL in relatively short order. He’s tied for the league lead with four interceptions this season, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
This is especially troubling considering Sam Bradford has recently developed a penchant for tossing picks. Bradford has thrown five passes to the other team in the last two games alone, all poor throws or bad decisions, giving him nine for the season.
Unless the game plan is to stay away from Norman, there could be trouble.
A 2012 fifth-round draft pick out of Coastal Carolina, Norman sort of came from nowhere, but the numbers are legit. It isn’t just takeaways, either. According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks are completing 45.9 percent of their targets against Norman for 7.5 yards per attempt and an NFL-low 24.2 passer rating. That’s just sick.
The Panthers haven’t exactly faced the greatest competition this season, going up against opponents with a 9-20 record. Still, the way Bradford is coughing up the football, you have to be concerned he’s going to put one or two of those floaters right in Norman’s belly. If that happens, the Eagles can forget about this one.
Eagles Receivers vs. Charles Tillman and Bene Benwikere
If Bradford would be best advised to avoid Norman, already his options become limited. He’ll need his wide receivers to win in coverage against the other defensive backs on the field.
On the outside, that’s Charles Tillman, who even at 34 is still a very capable cornerback. The long-time Chicago Bear isn’t putting up flashy numbers, but at 6’2”, 210 pounds, he has the size to match up with anybody, and with 42 career forced fumbles, always a threat to punch the ball out – keep that in mind, Josh Huff.
From the slot, it should be Jordan Matthews vs. Bene Benwikere, provided the Panthers don’t slide Norman inside. Considering Matthews hasn’t had many explosive games this season – hasn’t eclipsed 60 yards receiving in any of the last four games – and is averaging only 10.7 yards per reception, the Panthers likely won’t find that necessary.
With Kuechly and Davis likely effective in coverage against tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, somebody will have to get open. It won’t be easy. Despite facing the fourth-highest number of passing attempts in the league, Carolina’s defense ranks 15th against the pass, holding opponents to the third-lowest yards per attempt (5.4) and second-fewest touchdowns (5).