Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (grass and artificial turf, outdoors)
When: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Panthers by 2.5
Forecast: Cloudy, projected kickoff temperature in the mid-40s.
Records: Panthers (Overall: 2-8, NFC South: 1-3); Eagles (Overall: 3-7, NFC East: 1-2)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 13, 2009: Eagles 38, Panthers 10; Dec. 4, 2006: Eagles 27, Panthers 24. Series record: Eagles hold a 5-2 edge.
What matters: The Panthers travel to play a prime-time game against a team having as much of a disappointing season as they've had. The Eagles have lost six straight, and the Panthers have dropped seven of eight. The Panthers have fired general manager Marty Hurney and special teams coach Brian Murphy. Head coach Ron Rivera may be next. In Philadelphia, the league’s longest-tenured head coach, Andy Reid, may also be on the chopping block.
Who matters: QB Cam Newton has been sacked nine times in the last two games and 26 times on the season. He spoke of the importance of making quicker decisions after last week’s game, and Carolina’s rebuilt offensive line needs to help buy him some time. Eagles’ rookie QB Nick Foles threw interceptions on the first two possessions last week and fumbled three times. He’ll get another start if Michael Vick’s concussion keeps him out again.
Key matchup: Carolina RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams against the Eagles’ defensive line. The Panthers have shown a renewed commitment to the run in recent games. Carolina ran 34 times against the top-ranked Buccaneers run defense last week. Philadelphia is ranked 19th in the league, and the team’s pass defense has been shredded in recent weeks, so the Eagles won’t be able to send extra defenders into the box. Stewart and Williams should be able to find room to run.
Injuries of note: Panthers DE Antwan Applewhite (hamstring) still hasn’t practiced after missing four games. C Geoff Hangartner has missed practice with an injured knee. For Philadelphia, Vick and RB LeSean McCoy have both missed time with concussions.
Inside stuff: The Panthers lost four straight games by a total of 12 points and dropped last week’s game to Tampa Bay in overtime. The Eagles have lost their last four by 68 points and haven’t come within two touchdowns of an opponent in three weeks.
Connections: Rivera was linebackers coach for the Eagles from 1999 to 2003. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was an Eagles assistant from 1999 to 2010. Panthers LB Jason Williams played two games with the Eagles at the start of the season.
Stat you should know: Six of the Panthers first 10 games have been against top-10 offenses and another two were against offenses ranked 11th.
Record watch: With 12 yards receiving, Steve Smith will reach 11,000 for his career.
Bulletin board quote: “Oh, it’s real exciting. You’ve got the battle of the bads, I guess,” Panthers WR Steve Smith
Looking ahead: The Panthers have another road game, traveling to Kansas City to take on the 1-9 Chiefs. The Eagles go to Dallas for another prime-time game, Sunday night against the Cowboys.
Prediction: Panthers 28, Eagles 10
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Carolina Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow @CBSPanthers.
