Eagles Must Stop Cam Newton & Carolina’s Running Game

Despite the fact that Carolina is undefeated, this is a game the Eagles can win because they match up well against the Panthers.  Carolina believes in running the football and they average more runs per game (over 30) than any other team in the NFL.  They are the only team in the league that runs the ball more than they throw it.  Regardless of whether they’re having success or not, the Panthers are going to run the football.

I’m confident that the front trio of Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan and Cedrick Thornton with linebackers Jordan Hicks, DeMeco Ryans or Mychal Kendricks, Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham backing them up, can stand strong against the Panthers running game.

Carolina is led on the ground by running back Jonathan Stewart with 79 attempts for 298 yards for two touchdowns and only 3.8 yards a pop.  Quarterback Cam Newton has carried the ball 50 times for 225 yards for three touchdowns and a 4.5 yard per carry average.  The Panthers have a physical offensive line that will feature power runs up the middle and off the corner.

They will stay with their running game even if it’s not getting first downs.  They have no problem punting the football and relying on their defense to keep them in the game.

They’re going to need to keep an eye on 6’5″ 250 pound Newton because he can pull the ball down at anytime and carry two defenders into three yards for a first down or two years into the end zone.  He’s the Panthers weapon that can explode at any time and he’s getting wiser about picking his opportunities to take over the game.

Newton has improved his skills in executing the passing offense from the pocket.  He takes what is there and doesn’t force things in order to stay away from turnovers.  The Panthers have a conservative mindset, which leans on their defense and the offense emphasizes taking care of the football.

“The challenge is they are going to try to pound you,” Kelly said, “and they have got a back in Jonathan (Stewart) who is a big, physical, downhill running back. And then you have a quarterback – and it’s different than other zone-read-type teams you face where it’s a quick, agile quarterback that’s going to break outside — in Cam who can pound you, too. He’s got to be the biggest quarterback in the league from that standpoint in terms of rushing — him and (Ben) Roethlisberger. But they don’t run Ben. They run Cam.

“So I think they are just going to try to wear you down and pound you a little bit. I think their offensive line is built that way. Their running game is built that way, so it’s, can we stand in there and go to toe-to-toe with them? (That) is going to be the challenge for us.”

Tight end Greg Olsen is Carolina’s number one pass catching target with 24 catches for 374 and three touchdowns in five games.  A strong running game and an elusive tight end work well together.  When the linebackers and the safeties are thinking stopping the run, the tight end sneaks out and gets open.   This is especially effective against zones, but the Eagles don’t play a lot of zone, so I think they’ll be able to stay glued on Olsen.

The other threat in the Carolina offense is the speedy Ted Ginn Jr., who is as fast as any receiver in the league.  The Birds secondary needs to always know where he’s lining up.

I think this game is going to be decided by turnovers. Whichever team turns the ball over most will likely lose this football game.  I’m confident the Eagles defense will force some turnovers, but will the offense be able to capitalize on them.

I think so as long as Sam Bradford plays like he’s capable of playing.