Rapid Reactions: Panthers fall to Eagles in another close one

9 days ago

Panthers.com

PHILADELPHIA — The Panthers once again proved they can play with anyone.

The Panthers once again proved that Chuba Hubbard is the kind of guy you invest in.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, they also proved they're still short of beating the best teams in the league for very particular reasons.

The Panthers fell 22-16 to the Eagles Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field to drop to 3-10 on the season.

As with the recent near-misses against the Chiefs and Buccaneers, the Panthers pushed the Eagles to the limit, carrying a 16-14 lead into the fourth quarter and driving in the final minute with a chance to take the lead.

They did it with a solid defensive effort (better than the numbers indicated), as the Eagles got their yards on the ground but not otherwise. Philadelphia had 211 of their 294 yards on the ground, as Saquon Barkley set the franchise rushing record. He finished with 124 yards on 20 carries.

The Panthers also got another solid outing from Hubbard, who topped the 1,000-yard barrier for the season, his first time achieving that in his four NFL seasons.

Hubbard finished with 26 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers needed every bit of it, because the Panthers were out of healthy running backs other than him.

Rookie Jonathon Brooks left with a right knee injury in the first quarter and did not return, that's the same knee he tore the ACL in last November at Texas.

Brooks tried to limp off the field, putting no weight on the right leg, before he was eventually carted to the locker room.

The Panthers also were without reserve running back/returner Raheem Blackshear after he suffered a chest injury in the first quarter, and did not return.

Bryce Young had another solid outing, though it was marred by his first turnover in a month. His second-quarter interception was turned into a touchdown just before the half.

It was Young's first turnover since the Saints game on Nov. 3.

He finished 19-of-34 for 191 yards and a touchdown to Tommy Tremble along with the pick.

— The Panthers also lost cornerback Jaycee Horn early in the fourth quarter to a groin injury.

He went down just before the Eagles touchdown which made it 22-16, and walked to the locker room under his own power, but slowly.