Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Eagles achieved a significant milestone on Sunday, securing their ninth consecutive victory by defeating the Carolina Panthers 22-16 at Lincoln Financial Field. The win places the Eagles at 11-2, solidifying their position atop the NFC East as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson played a crucial role in setting the tone for the Eagles' defense. His impactful performance included a pivotal interception of an overthrown pass by Carolina's Bryce Young, which helped spark a touchdown drive for Philadelphia. Gardner-Johnson emphasized his commitment to playing hard for his teammates, stating, "We want to win and play hard for our guys."

In the absence of Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra stepped up by scoring his first NFL career touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Calcaterra's contributions extended beyond receiving, as he played a vital part in blocking during a run-heavy game where the Eagles amassed over 200 rushing yards. Reflecting on his performance, Calcaterra said, "It feels good... let our 11 go against your 11 and I like our 11 every time."

Darius "Big Play" Slay lived up to his nickname with critical defensive plays that preserved the Eagles' lead in crucial moments of the game. Slay expressed his enthusiasm for being in high-pressure situations: "I love being in those situations," he stated after successfully breaking up key passes from Young.

Saquon Barkley made history by becoming the Eagles' single-season rushing leader with 1,623 yards over 13 games. Despite being contained by Carolina's defense during this match, Barkley praised his teammates for facilitating his success: "Gotta give credit to the guys up front."

The Eagles' defense showcased resilience throughout the game, limiting Carolina to just 16 points despite several offensive pushes from their opponents. Defensive standouts included Jalen Carter and linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean, who contributed significantly with tackles and quarterback pressures.

While not a dominant performance overall, Sunday's victory underscored Philadelphia's ability to secure wins under pressure—a valuable trait as they advance through their season.