After losing in London on Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles must shift their focus to hosting the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.
The Birds are 1.5-point home favorites, according to FanDuel.
Home teams are normally listed as 2.5-point or three-point favorites in a game between two evenly matched teams. So, while the Eagles are favored in this matchup, it’s the Panthers who are drawing more respect.
And understandably so. The Eagles have lost three straight. Their defense has played better over the past
two weeks but their undermanned offense is abysmal.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have a much more functional offense. Carolina ranks 9th in offensive EPA per play and 19th in offensive success rate. Bryce Young leads the league in passing yards per game (317) while logging a 100.0 passer rating.
Go Birds! Join Eagles fans on the SB Nation app!
Share every touchdown celebration, big defensive stop and passionate game-day opinion with fellow Eagles fans.
- Join our live game chat
- Browse with fewer ads
- Jump easily between communities and conversations
- Enjoy faster commenting and posting
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
Carolina’s defense is more middle of the pack. That unit ranks 16th in EPA per play and 12th in success rate. It’s hard to believe the Eagles’ moribund offense can actually take advantage until we see it happen. It’s possible the Eagles will be getting some key players back from injury (Saquon Barkley? DeVonta Smith?) but they also had a number of new absences pop up during Sunday’s loss.
Making matters more difficult for the Eagles in this matchup is they’re coming off international travel … while the Panthers will be well-rested coming off a Week 5 bye.
The Eagles should be the more desperate team. But you also could’ve said that about them in Week 4 and Week 5, which were both losses.
Right now, I’m leaning with taking the points (Panthers +1.5). I don’t trust Nick Sirianni and I don’t trust this offense.
What say you?
