Sunday marks the first of four home games in the final five weeks of this 2024 regular season. It comes against a Carolina Panthers team that has made progress climbing out of a very deep early-season hole, gaining confidence in second-year quarterback Bryce Young, developing a good running game, and playing solid defense.

At 3-9, the Panthers aren't pushing for a playoff berth. But they are a competitive football team and they are in the direct path of the Eagles, winners of eight straight games and in firm control of the NFC East with a 10-2 record.

That's the scene for Sunday at 1 PM when the teams kick off at Lincoln Financial Field. And the storylines are mostly this: Can the Eagles keep this hot, hot, hot streak going? We take a look at the game, but first, the Eagles announced on Saturday afternoon that they have signed tight end E.J. Jenkins to the active roster and placed tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) on Injured Reserve. The Eagles also elevated fullback Khari Blasingame and safety Andre Sam from the practice squad for the Panthers game. Meanwhile, the Panthers downgraded outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to out after initially being listed as questionable with a knee injury …

1. Saquon Barkley gets better as the games go along

No, it isn't just a "feeling" you have watching the Eagles and seeing running back Saquon Barkley bust so many big runs and gaining such consistent yardage later in games. Here are the facts for Barkley as he leads the league in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage …

This is just mind-boggling stuff for a back who is closing in on LeSean McCoy's franchise mark of 1,607 rushing yards in a single season, set in 2013. Wilbert Mongomery is No. 2, having gained 1,512 yards in 1979. Here is Barkley at 1,499 yards and a couple of big runs away from making Eagles history. Carolina's run defense, by the way, ranks 32nd in the NFL and allows 166.8 yards on the ground per game.

2. Carolina's offense revolves around QB Bryce Young

The first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young has made progress with his third head coach and second offensive coordinator. He has three touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games and has made a nice rebound after being benched this season. Young is a smaller-sized quarterback, so the Panthers move him around the pocket and try to create throwing lanes with bootlegs and rollouts and things to get him away from those big, long-armed defensive linemen. The Eagles must stay disciplined and not chase here. Just play Eagles defense, the same as they've been doing during this eight-game winning streak when they've allowed a meager 15.3 points per game.

3. Starting faster is the goal for the Eagles

There is a lot to work on for the Eagles and they all acknowledge that. Here is one area of focus: starting faster on offense, because the rest of the three quarters have been impressive. Check this out: Through Week 13, the Eagles are averaging an NFL-low 1.4 points in the first quarter, but 25.3 points after the first quarter – second highest in the league behind the Lions. So, as the Eagles embark on this stretch run, starting faster is a priority. They've worked on it all season and have had some really good moments, but consistency is key for the offense. The Eagles have scored at least 24 points in the last seven games.

4. Ball security has been a key for the Green-hot Eagles

In the course of this eight-game winning streak – a win on Sunday ties a franchise record with nine straight victories – the Eagles have had terrific ball security and now stand at a +3 in turnover ratio. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has 20 total touchdowns with only 2 giveaways since Week 6, the best turnover ratio in the NFL. Everything for this game is about playing smart, efficient football, and if the Eagles can avoid giving Carolina short fields, they will make the Panthers earn everything they get here. That begins with ball security.

5. Depth again is to be tested

While the big news is that wide receiver DeVonta Smith returns to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury, the offense is still not whole. Tight end Dallas Goedert is on Injured Reserve with a knee injury, safety Reed Blankenship is out with a concussion, safety/special teams ace Sydney Brown will miss the game with a knee injury, and punt returner/wide receiver Britain Covey has a neck injury and is out. Depth is again going to be in the spotlight. Grant Calcaterra will have his workload tick up considerably replacing Goedert and Tristan McCollum will get the nod with Blankenship out. Brown has been a star gunner this season in punt coverage, so the Eagles have a need there, and Covey will be replaced by Cooper DeJean in the punt return game. The Eagles have been up to the challenge thus far this season, so this test is nothing new.

6. The big intangible: Intensity and focus for the Eagles

Everyone on the outside of the NovaCare Complex this week has asked the players and coaches about the dreaded "trap game." Is it a thing? The Eagles have the Panthers here after a big win last week over the Ravens and before next Sunday's Pennsylvania Showdown against the Steelers. Is it possible to overlook Carolina?

The Eagles say no way.

They have a mature perspective and the understanding that the truth is that they can't fathom looking past an NFC team that has played good football in the last month. The Eagles need this game to keep pace with the top teams in the NFC and, oh yeah, Philadelphia has not yet clinched a playoff berth.

For Philadelphia, this game is about playing urgent, intense, focused football. Carolina has everything to gain and nothing to lose in this one. The Eagles need to be at their best.