Philadelphia Eagles 24, Carolina Panthers 13
The Panthers got blitzed 24-3 in the 4th quarter last night which will surely earn some players pink notices that were trying to make the team. Jake Delhomme got his first real extended action since Tommy John Surgery last night and he passed his test completing 9 of 14 passes for 54 yards with a interception. Matt Moore finished up the game completing 11 of 19 passes for 85 yards with a interception that was returned 74-yards for a TD by linebacker Justin Roland of the Eagles. DeAngelo Williams had another solid game leading the Panthers with 32 yards rushing on 8 carries (4.0 ypc). Nick Goings pitched in with 27 yards rushing on 7 carries (3.9 ypc). Rookie Jonathan Stewart got his first action in his NFL career last night and he only carried the ball 4 times for 3 yards (0.8 ypc). WR Dominique Thompson led the way for the Panthers last night with 2 grabs for 40 yards (20.0 avg). The Panthers finished up with only 78 yards rushing on 27 carries (2.9 ypc) and they completed 20 of 33 passes for 134 yards. The Panthers still have some things to work on offensively before September rolls around but it was nice to see Delhomme throwing the rock around.
Cornerback Ricardo Colclough and safety Nate Salley led the way for the Panthers with six tackles apiece last night. CB Richard Marshall only had 1 tackle but he made the biggest play on defense last night as he intercepted a shovel pass from Eagles’ punter Sav Rocco on a fake field goal and he returned it 78 yards for a TD. The defensive numbers look a lot worse than how the defense played as a bunch of players who will be cut played in the 4th quarter when the Panthers allowed 24 points. The defense shut out the Eagles real players in the first three quarters of last night’s game. The Eagles finished up with 139 yards rushing on 22 carries (6.3 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 52 passes for 247 yards.
Jonathon Stewart was a not a factor in this game; not impressive at all. DeAngelo Williams, however, looked really sharp and ran like his job, literally, depended on it. The botched field goal attempt by Philly was awesome. Number 31 just came out of nowhere. Matt Moore was disappointing, but he does look really good, so the interception, although cost the Panthers the game, looked sloppy and can be fixed with more practice.
The Panthers aren’t going to hand anything to Stewart so he better get his act together soon because Williams has been awesome this preseason. That was quite a play by Richard Marshall on Friday Night. Matt Moore has come a long way so I wouldn’t throw him under the bus quite yet Tim. I really think this season really hinges on how well Jake Delhomme and Julius Peppers play. If they both stay healthy all season long I think the Panthers will challenge the Saints and Bucs for the division.