Panthers’ long scoring drive against Eagles shows progress in protecting leads

The Carolina Panthers’ 25-14 win at the Philadelphia Eagles on October 18 offered a sign of progress in protecting leads, according to the Associated Press: a 14-play, 92-yard touchdown drive extended a six-point advantage late in the third quarter. The result left Carolina 3-2 and atop the NFC South, though a franchise-record 149 penalty yards showed how much remained to clean up.

Six of Carolina’s eight wins last season required second-half comebacks led by quarterback Bryce Young, AP reported. Against Philadelphia, the Panthers led throughout. Their nearly eight-minute drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard and gave them room to withstand another Eagles score. The shift from chasing games to sustaining a lead is the point of AP’s postgame assessment, rather than a conclusion about how Carolina will play over the rest of the season.

Canales points to the 92-yard finishing drive

Hubbard carried 28 times for 120 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles, while Trevor Etienne had one carry after returning from injured reserve, according to AP. Through five games, Hubbard had 426 rushing yards and six total touchdowns, including two receiving scores, at 4.8 yards per carry. Canales said Hubbard was running well and that his form should help the rest of the offense.

Tight end Tommy Tremble also contributed in the red zone, catching four passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns. AP reported that he had 15 catches for 128 yards through five games. Canales cited Tremble’s toughness, versatility and leadership in describing his value to the offense.

Penalty record tempers Carolina’s defensive gains

The Panthers’ defense held Philadelphia to 222 yards, including 35 on the ground, the team reported. AP put the Eagles’ output at 3.6 yards per play and noted that quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley were absent. Tanner McKee, starting in place of Hurts, passed for 215 yards and was sacked three times.

Carolina was flagged 13 times for 149 yards, a franchise record, according to AP and the Panthers. AP reported that the team was averaging nearly 10 penalties and 84 penalty yards per game through five games. Rookie cornerback Will Lee accounted for two pass-interference calls that gave Philadelphia first downs and also allowed a touchdown to DeVonta Smith. Outside linebacker Thomas Incoom left in the second quarter with a calf injury and did not return.

Carolina next returns home for a divisional game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, AP reported. The win over Philadelphia follows the previously reported 25-14 result; the new question for the Panthers is whether they can keep extending leads while reducing the penalties that gave the Eagles extra chances.