Following Monday night’s 27-7 home victory over the New York Giants, the NFC East Division-leading Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Charlotte, NC, to take on the undefeated Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football. The Panthers are coming off the franchise’s biggest win in years after overcoming a 13-point deficit on the road against the Seattle Seahawks last week. Read further to find out my five bold predictions for this matchup between division leaders.
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5. Greg Olsen Will Have 100 Yards Receiving
Getty ImagesOlsen is coming off one of the most impressive games of his career as he hauled in seven passes for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown last week at Seattle. Although the Eagles are the second-best team in the NFL against tight ends, Olsen is the best tight end in the league not named Gronkowski.
4. DeMarco Murray Will Score a Rushing Touchdown
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While the Panthers boast the 12th-ranked run defense in the NFL, only allowing 96.6 rushing yards per game, the defensive line is rather small, which causes problems around the goal line. Murray has started to show signs of life the last two weeks, and I expect that to continue with a touchdown plunge this week.
3. Josh Norman Will Hold Jordan Matthews Without a Catch and Have an Interception
Getty ImagesAccording to Pro Football Focus, Norman was the top-rated corner in the NFL heading into the Panthers' bye week in Week 5. In Week 6 against the Seahawks, Russell Wilson only threw to his side of the field one time, and that was a screen pass that Norman made the tackle on. The Panthers' corner has been so good that teams are beginning to shy away from his man, which makes the defense that much better.
2. Sam Bradford Will Throw 3 INTs and be Replaced by Mark Sanchez
Getty ImagesBradford was supposed to take the Eagles' offense to the next level this season, but all he's done is hold the team back. Through six games, he's thrown nine interceptions, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL behind Peyton Manning's 10. Bradford's coming off a three-interception performance on Monday night against the Giants, and if he struggles against the Panthers, look for Sanchez to make an appearance.
1. Cam Newton Will Have 2 TDs Passing and 2 TDs Rushing
Getty ImagesNewton has produced 78 percent of the Panthers' total offensive yards this season. He's coming off quite possibly the biggest win of his career and should enter this game against the Eagles with supreme confidence. Look for Newton to have one of his best statistical games of his career.
