Scouting the Eagles and Panthers

The Eagles' running game was resurgent in the second quarter of the season, with the offensive line returning to form. The Eagles have averaged 152 rushing yards per game during the last four games, including 190 rushing yards in last week's win over the Houston. Evan Mathis' return at left guard will be a big help, too. The Eagles will miss Todd Herremans at right guard, but they now have four players from their original line.

LeSean McCoy has rebounded from a slow start to the season and has averaged 107.5 yards during the last four games, with his second 100-yard rushing performance coming last week. Darren Sproles has topped 4 yards per carry in each game he has played this season, and Chris Polk is now more involved, adding another dimension to the rushing attack.

The Panthers have the NFL's No. 26 rushing defense and have allowed 131.9 rushing yards per game this season on 4.8 yards per carry. Expect to hear the name Luke Kuechly often on Monday; the reigning defensive player of the year is the NFL's best tackler. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis is another challenge, and they present what Eagles coach Chip Kelly said is the best linebacker combination the Eagles will see this season. Carolina also has talent at defensive tackle, where Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short can cause problems.

Mark Sanchez starts at quarterback on Monday, but don't expect major changes in the Eagles' offense. Sanchez completed 68.2 percent of his passes last week and more than 80 percent in the preseason, and efficiency will be key for him. He has more offensive weapons than he did with the New York Jets. That includes the scorching Jeremy Maclin, who has 345 receiving yards in the last two games. One receiver to watch is rookie Jordan Matthews, who has a good connection with Sanchez and could benefit from more three-receiver sets on Monday.

The Panthers have the NFL's No. 18 pass defense and are allowing 246.2 passing yards per game. They are led by former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, who has a strong blitzing package. Kuechly and Davis stay on the field just about every down. Carolina's secondary has improved since Josh Norman entered the lineup, although Antoine Cason will cover Maclin. Veteran Roman Harper and Thomas DeCoud team at safety, with rookie Tre Boston also an option.

The pass rush is missing Greg Hardy, who is on the commissioner's exempt list. Lotulelei and Short provide pressure up the middle, with Dwan Edwards mixing in, too. Charles Johnson can be a dangerous pass rusher and has four sacks this season.

Carolina is No. 26 in the NFL with 94.7 rushing yards per game. Injuries have been a big factor, and the duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart is healthy again. Look to see both of them on Monday. Quarterback Cam Newton is also dangerous rushing the ball and has topped 500 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons. He has 257 rushing yards this season.

The Panthers' offensive line has struggled this season. Center Ryan Kalil is one of the best in the NFL, but the players on both sides of him have been inconsistent. They are getting healthier this week with the expected returns of left tackle Byron Bell and left guard Aminu Silatolu.

The Eagles' run defense must go on without inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho will split duties replacing Ryans on running downs. Mychal Kendricks will need to fortify the middle of the defense. The Eagles' defensive line has been stout against the run, especially when base starters Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, and Bennie Logan are in the game together. The Eagles could use sub packages more frequently with Ryans absent, but only if those groups are more effective against the run.

A lack of elite skill-position players and the struggling line this season have made life more difficult for quarterback Cam Newton, who has completed just 48 percent of his passes in the last three games. The Panthers have totaled 36 points in those three games - all losses.

The Panthers tried replacing their top four receivers during the offseason, and it's come with mixed results. The most productive has been first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound threat who has 40 catches for 589 yards and five touchdowns this offseason. They also rely on veterans Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. Avant spent eight seasons in Philadelphia and is a reliable slot receiver, but his lack of speed has limited him to 9.7 yards per catch. Tight end Greg Olsen is a consistent target who has caught at least five passes in six games this season. Newton has a big arm and can test the Eagles' downfield.

The Eagles return Nate Allen at safety after he missed last week with a hamstring injury. With Ryans out of the lineup, the Eagles might play more dime instead of nickel on passing downs. That means Nolan Carroll would join Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher, and Brandon Boykin on the field more often. Newton has been sacked 22 times this season, but the pass rushers must be careful not to let him escape the pressure and run free.

The Eagles' special teams have had fewer big plays in recent weeks, but they are still strong. The expected return of Brad Smith will help. Kicker Cody Parkey has not missed a field goal since Week 2. Panthers kicker Graham Gano has connected on 17 of 19 attempts this season. The Panthers have the worst kickoff coverage unit in the NFL, and the fourth-worst punt coverage unit. Watch out for Panthers returner Philly Brown, a Cardinal O'Hara alum who already has a punt-return touchdown this season.

The Eagles return to Lincoln Financial Field, where they have not lost this season. Their lineup will look different because of injuries to Ryans and Nick Foles. Carolina has not won since Oct. 5, but it had 10 days to prepare for this game. The Panthers are 1-2-1 on the road this season. The last meeting between the two teams was Carolina's 30-22 win over the Eagles on Monday Night Football in 2012.

Predictions