Panthers fourth-quarter comeback caps dramatic victory over Philadelphia Eagles

There was arguing, profanity, loud music, name-calling, a little wrestling and plenty of beer.

Oh, and a football game.

Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead strike to Greg Olsen with 1:26 remaining, giving the Carolina Panthers an improbable 21-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

But it wasn’t over until the Eagles’ final roller coaster of a drive, on which Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz led a drive to the Carolina 22, apparently threw a game-sealing interception to Reid only to have the play reversed, then gave the ball right back with a fumble two plays later.

There was more excitement involving the Panthers before the opening kickoff than at any point in the first three quarters — except for a brief wrestling match between Reid and Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.

Tailgating Eagles fans sang Philadelphian greetings to any Carolina fan bold enough to publicly support their team.

Then Reid made things interesting before the game, staring down Eagles’ safety Malcolm Jenkins during player introductions before eventually confronting the NFL Players Coalition founder at midfield after the captains’ meeting. The two had to be separated but Reid kept that same energy throughout the first half, jawing at the Eagles’ sideline between plays.

The non-football excitement wore off during an otherwise dull first half as the Eagles built a 17-0 lead through three quarters. Then the fourth quarter happened.

Three who mattered

Zach Ertz: The NFL’s second-leader in receptions boosted his total Sunday, corralling nine passes for 138 yards. The Eagles wanted to create mismatches for their tight end and arguably best receiver and Ertz routinely beat whoever covered him — linebacker, safety or cornerback, it didn’t matter.

Cam Newton: The former MVP hopped in a phone booth for the fourth quarter, leading the Panthers back from a 17-0 deficit with two touchdown passes in the game’s final 11 minutes. Newton finished 25 of 39 for 269 yards and wasn’t intercepted. He was sacked twice.

Carson Wentz: The third-year signal-caller picked the Panthers’ defense apart, completing 30-of-37 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Beyond a fluke sack on the Eagles’ opening drive, the Panthers couldn’t get pressure on him throughout the game and Wentz made them pay — until the game’s final drive, when the Panthers’ pass rush forced a game-sealing Wentz fumble.

Observations

▪ Several Eagles fans flew the same flag at their respective tailgates, which read PHI 41 NE 33 — the final score of Philadelphia’s win over New England in Super Bowl 53.

▪ Devin Funchess became the Carolina Panthers’ eighth all-time leading receiver with an 18-yard catch in the fourth quarter. He also surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards, making him the ninth Panthers player to do so.

▪ Greg Olsen’s touchdown reception in the fourth quarter gave him 54 for his career — tied for 12th-most all-time among tight ends.

▪ D.J. Moore, a Philadelphia native, had a contigent of family members at the game donning his No. 12 Panthers jersey.

▪ On consecutive drives in the second and third quarters, the Panthers drove into field goal range, only to settle for punts when penalties knocked them back a combined 20 yards.

Worth mentioning

▪ The Panthers have a problem covering tight ends. After allowing 84 yards to Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed in Week 6, they let Ertz and Dallas Goedert combine for 13 catches, 181 yards and a touchdown.

▪ Before Sunday’s game, 60 percent of Philadelphia’s completions came courtesy of its non-wide receivers. The Eagles played an on-brand game against the Panthers as 17 of Wentz’s 30 completions went to a tight end or running back.

▪ For the second week in a row, the Panthers fell behind 17-0, scored a touchdown and missed the extra point before storming back late in the fourth quarter. Against Washington, the rally fell short.

They said it

▪ “It was definitely a challenge. He made some plays on me today. He just had my number, that was pretty much it.” — Panthers cornerback James Bradberry on defending Alshon Jeffery.

▪ “No question. We didn’t blink. My boy JB ... when that happened to JB, we didn’t blink. We were like, ‘All right, so what?’ They’re not gonna score, they’re not gonna score.” — Panthers safety Mike Adams on how confident he was the team would stop the Eagles on fourth down to end the game.

▪ “I’m like a peacemaker with my brothers and sisters when they get into arguments and spats. ... I’m kind of like the nice guy.” – Panthers WR Torrey Smith on mediating between Eric Reid and Malcolm Jenkins.

This story was originally published October 21, 2018 at 4:26 PM.