The Carolina Panthers should be feeling a bit more refreshed this week, as they're coming off an early bye. They'll be visiting the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been struck hard by injuries and are reeling from three straight losses.
Nevertheless, this is not an opponent the Panthers can afford to take lightly.
If Carolina is going to come out on top, they'll have to win some important individual matchups. Here are four to keep an eye on in Week 6 . . .
Panthers RG Robert Hunt vs. Eagles DT Jalen Carter
This week's toughest matchup for Carolina falls to Hunt, who has to find a way to slow down Carter. Hunt only has a 58.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus so far. Meanwhile, Carter has already totaled 3.0 sacks, five tackles for a loss and a league-leading three forced fumbles.
Hunt has
to keep Carter as far away from quarterback Bryce Young as possible to avoid potential disaster in the pocket.
Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan vs. Eagles CB Riq Woolen
McMillan has done some great work in the slot—but with Jalen Coker returning to the lineup, he could be back on the boundary most of the time. That's where he'll face one of the NFL's longest, most athletic cornerbacks in Woolen.
Woolen (6-foot-4) can match McMillan's size. However, he has already allowed two touchdowns and a 109.3 passer rating in coverage, a career-worst for the former Seattle Seahawk. McMillan is coming off the best game of his career—with 14 catches, 192 yards and two touchdowns against the Detroit Lions.
Panthers WR Jalen Coker vs. Eagles DB Cooper DeJean
After Carter, the most dangerous defender for the Eagles is DeJean. The third-year defensive back can line up all over the place—including in the slot. That's where he will see Coker, who is expected to return from a quad injury.
In two and a half games this year, Coker has posted 18 catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns. DeJean has allowed two scores and a 93.1 passer rating.
Panthers LB Bobby Okereke vs. Eagles TE Dallas Goedert
Over 111 games in the NFL, Goedert has racked up 420 catches, almost 5,000 yards and 37 touchdowns—including a career-best 11 scores in 2025. With starting quarterback Jalen Hurts out, he might serve as a often-visited safety valve for backup Tanner McKee.
Okereke will often have to trail Goedert in coverage. So far, he's allowed a 64.3-percent completion rate and just a 65.5 passer rating.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Key matchups for Panthers vs. Eagles in Week 6
