Jake Delhomme is still the starter for the Carolina Panthers…for now.  Delhomme had five turnovers in the Panthers opener and fans are already growing weary of the veteran quarterback after his collapse in last year’s playoffs and his terrible start to this year. Panthers back-up quarterback Josh McCown came in for Delhomme in the game Sunday, but he sprained his left knee and is now on the IR. The Panthers have reached a deal with quarterback A.J. Feeley and it looks like a quarterback controversy is already brewing down in Carolina, especially after Delhomme was booed by his home fans last game.

Everything looked good at the start of the game as the Panthers took a 7-0 lead but it was all downhill from there.  Jake Delhomme was putrid in this game as he completed 7 of 17 passes for 73 yards with 4 interceptions!  He also lost a fumble that was returned for a TD by the Eagles.  Delhomme was yanked in the third quarter of this game.  He was replaced by Josh McCown who was equally awful completing only 1 of 6 passes for 2 yards before leaving the game with a injury.  Matt Moore finished up the game by completing 6 of 11 passes for 63 yards with 1 interception.  DeAngelo Williams had a rough time against the Eagles D as he carried the ball 14 times for 37 yards (2.6 ypc) with a TD run.  He also caught 4 passes for 42 yards (10.5 avg).  The Panthers finished up with 169 total yards in this game (86 rushing, 83 passing) and that is totally pathetic. 

The defense had issues stopping the run but despite the score they weren’t as awful as you might think.  Linebacker Thomas Davis led the way for the Panthers in this game with 16 tackles.  DE Julius Peppers also had a decent game finishing with 5 tackles and a sack.  The Eagles finished up with 267 total yards on offense (185 rushing, 82 passing) in this game.  The special teams of the Panthers also had a bad game as Desean Jackson returned a punt 85 yards for a TD.

This should be a interesting football game.  The Panthers were 0-4 this pre-season and they looked pathetic doing it.  But, those games mean absolutely nothing.  The Eagles will likely try to go all out in the passing game in the first half to attempt getting a lead and getting the Panthers away from their powerful running game.  This could work as the Eagles like to use a lot of receivers spreading the football around as McNabb will likely stay with that M.O. tomorrow.  Brian Westbrook did not play in the pre-season after undergoing ankle surgery over the summer.  He could be on a pitch count tomorrow so rookie LeSean McCoy will likely have a important role against the Panthers.  The Panthers just hope that DE Julius Peppers wreaks havoc in the Eagles’ backfield tomorrow causing McNabb to put the ball up for grabs a few times.

When the Panthers have the football they will be giving the rock to DeAngelo Williams early and often.  Jonathan Stewart is still trying to recover from an Achilles problem so Williams likely won’t have to share the ball tomorrow and that’s likely a bad thing for the Eagles.  The Panthers rushed for 152.3 yards per game last season and they could get at least that many tomorrow against the Eagles.  If Williams gets going early in this game then Jake Delhomme could be deadly off play action trying to get the ball to Steve Smith who is one of the best playmakers on the planet. 

PREDICTION:  CAROLINA PANTHERS 24, PHILADEPHIA EAGLES 20

The Panthers were caught sleepwalking again last night.  Jake Delhomme was in and out completing 2 of 4 passes for 19 yards.  Matt Moore completed 8 of 13 passes for 89 yards but he threw a pick six to safety Ryan Mundy of the Steelers.  Josh McCown was effective completing 11 of 15 passes for 82 yards.  Hunter Cantwell finished up this game by completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards.  Mike Goodson led the Panthers in rushing in this game with 79 on 15 carries (5.3 ypc).  WR Kenny Moore was solid in the air with 6 catches for 59 yards (9.8 avg).  The Panthers finished up with 320 total yards in this game (123 rushing, 197 passing).

Linebacker Kelvin Smith led a solid effort by the Panthers’ D with six tackles.  The Steelers finished up with only 211 total yards in this game (137 rushing, 74 passing).  But, the Steelers returned a punt (Stefan Logan) 80 yards for a TD.  The Panthers finished the pre-season with a 0-4 record.

The Carolina Panthers have placed 25-year old safety Nate Salley on the Injured Reserve List due to a knee injury.  Salley played in all 16 games for the Panthers last season making only 7 tackles.  He has played in 24 games in his career with the Panthers making 11 tackles.  The Panthers won’t miss him one bit this season.

The Panthers have acquired 25-year old DT Louis Leonard from the Browns for a undisclosed draft pick.  Leonard played in all 16 games for the Browns last season and he made 25 tackles.  Leonard has nice size at 6’4″, 325 pounds which is the extent of his upside.  The Browns took advantage of the Panthers’ need along the D-Line.