In most respects, the Eagles have been wholly outplayed by the 5-0 Panthers tonight, but despite the fact that Carolina is averaging nearly twice as many yards per play as Philadelphia so far, the game remains very much within reach. Going into the half down 14-6, the Eagles will look to get things going offensively and compliment a defense that has held quarterback Cam Newton to just 86 passing yards so far with two interceptions.

Finding Success On The Ground

The Eagles were held to just six points in the first half, but the offense showed encouraging signs in the running game. On 15 carries, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, and Darren Sproles combined for 77 yards (5.1 yards/attempt). Murray has seen the bulk of the action so far, carrying eight times for 35 yards. Mathews has tallied 33 yards on four carries, and Sproles has run three times for nine yards.

Drops Plaguing Offense

In the first quarter, Jordan Matthews failed to haul in a pass from Sam Bradford that bounced off his fingertips and into the hands of a Panthers defender for an interception. In the second quarter, the second-year wideout had another big drop, this time on a third-down play that would have extended the Eagles' drive around midfield. On Philadelphia's next drive, receiver Josh Huff, too, dropped a pass that would have resulted in a first down. Instead, they had to settle for a 52-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal.

Carolina Cool

Through 30 minutes, the Panthers have committed just two penalties for 18 yards, and both of those calls against them came after the two-minute warning in the second quarter. The Eagles, on the other hand, have committed six penalties for 41 yards.

Jenkins Comes Up Big Yet Again

With 1:05 left in the second quarter, the Panthers set up for 2nd-and-15 on their own 37-yard line. Cam Newton rolled out to his right to avoid pressure up the middle from Vinny Curry, throwing a dart of a pass to an open receiver toward the near sideline. But Malcolm Jenkins, who's been one of Philadelphia's most consistent players on the defensive end of the ball this season, jumped in front and made a leaping interception to give the Eagles the ball on the Carolina 39. The Eagles were able to work the ball down to the 11-yard line, where they settled for a field goal to make it 14-6 going into halftime.