Philly Sports Jabronis
In a game that many thought was needing to be a statement game by the quarterback, it was instead the wide receivers (and running backs) who made the most profound declaration – and not a good one at that – during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 27-16 loss in Carolina on Sunday night. At least six passes thrown by Sam Bradford fell to the turf (as well as one that went into a defender’s hands) after hitting a would-be receiver in the hands.
Up to and including the final play by the Eagle offense – a dropped ball through the hands of wide receiver Miles Austin – the team’s defense again got little support for its ability to keep the team in the game. The Birds picked off Cam Newton three times on the evening, but mostly got only field goals in return. Ryan Matthews’ 63-yard touchdown scamper with 9:43 to play in the third quarter brought the team to within eight at 21-13 and when Caleb Sturgis booted his third field goal of the game at 5:51 of the frame to get the score to 21-16 it seemed as if the momentum had swung enough away from the Panthers, who built a lead of 14-6 at the half, into the Eagles’ favor.
The drops continued. Bradford finished 26-of-46 for 205 yards and no scores. DeMarco Murray managed only 65 yards on 18 carries. Matthews racked up 97 yards on just six carries.
Malcolm Jenkins, Nolan Carroll and Byron Maxwell all recorded interceptions in the losing effort.
For more on this game, click here.
