Panthers-Eagles live updates: Jalen Hurts capitalizes on late Carolina punting mistake
The Carolina Panthers lost last week, but they’re still in first place in the NFC South, tied atop the division with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next up for the Panthers (3-1), a week removed from their loss in Dallas, is another NFC East foe in the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3). The Eagles have a young quarterback in Jalen Hurts who has passed for more than 325 yards in each of his past two games.
This could create problems for Carolina’s secondary, which is without starting safety Juston Burris and cornerback and first-round draft pick Jaycee Horn. Both are on injured reserve. The Panthers traded last week for Stephon Gilmore, but he won’t be available to play until Carolina plays at the New York Giants.
The Observer has five journalists, including beat reporter Jonathan M. Alexander and columnist Scott Fowler, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for today’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Panthers and Eagles. We’ll have live updates on this page throughout the day (refresh for the latest) and expanded coverage at CharlotteObserver.com after the game is over.
What’s the Panthers score right now?
FINAL: Eagles 21, Panthers 18
A Sam Darnold interception by Eagles defensive back Steven Nelson with under two minutes left in the game ultimately sealed a Philadelphia road win in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday.
Edwards blocked punt, Hurts rushing TD: Eagles 21, Panthers 18
TJ Edwards blocked a Panthers punt and Shaun Bradely scooped it up, giving the Eagles the ball 26 yards away from a score with just over four minutes to play down five (18-13).
And then, a few plays later, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts faked a handoff and ran in a touchdown from 6 yards out. Philadelphia’s two-point conversion attempt was successful.
Zane Gonzalez FG: Panthers 18, Eagles 13
Kicker Zane Gonzalez added to his best day as a Panther in the fourth quarter on Sunday, knocking in a 50-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 44-yard drive with 8:29 remaining in the game.
Jalen Hurts rushing TD: Panthers 15, Eagles 13
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts punctuated a promising drive — one that included a 53-yard pass to Quez Watkins — with a 1-yard touchdown drive to pull the game within two points with eight seconds remaining in the third quarter.
That was a six-play, 80-yard drive that took up 2:19.
3 turnovers for Panthers, Eagles define 3rd quarter
The Eagles and Panthers traded back-to-back-to-back turnovers in the third quarter on Sunday.
First: The Eagles’ DeVonta Smith made a reception but fumbled after a Dontae Jackson hit. Jeremy Chinn recovered the fumble for the Panthers.
Next: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, on his team’s next possession, was intercepted by Jackson.
And then after that, three plays later, Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold threw his second interception of the day (into the arms of Darius Slay).
The score hasn’t budged since halftime.
HALF: Jake Elliot FG brings Eagles-Panthers game to 15-6
Philadelphia’s Jake Elliot nailed a 58-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to narrow the game’s margin to 15-6. Elliot has been credited for all six Eagles points.
Safety! Errant Eagles snap gives Panthers 2 points
An errant and mishandled Eagles snap on the first play of what’ll likely be their last possession of the first half resulted in -16 yards — and two Carolina points.
The snap rolled past the goal line and was knocked around until it dribbled out the back of the end zone with 2:35 remaining in the first half. Panthers up over the Eagles, 15-3.
Zane Gonzalez FG: Panthers 13, Eagles 3
Sam Darnold took second drive-ending sack in as many Carolina possessions, and the Panthers settled for a 43-yard field goal as a result.
The good news? Zane Gonzalez is putting together his best performance of the 2021 season. He’s now 2 for 2 on field goals (both over 40 yards) and 1 for 1 on extra points.
Sam Darnold takes first sack of afternoon
Sam Darnold has had to operate under pressure for most of Sunday. And on third down on a Panthers drive with just over eight minutes left in the first half, the pressure finally broke through.
Eagles defensive lineman Javon Hargrave swam past Panthers offensive lineman Dennis Daley and planted Darnold on his back.
This one has turned into a defensive battle: Carolina has recorded 114 yards of total offense through the 5:51 mark in the first half. The Eagles have notched 49.
Sam Darnold TD pass: Panthes 10, Eagles 3
Sam Darnold found tight end Tommy Tremble for a 5-yard touchdown pass to break the game’s tie with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter.
The drive — nine plays, 62 yards, 3:38 minutes — was the most impressive one of the young afternoon for the Panthers. It came right after a Darnold interception that led to Eagles points.
Darnold is now 4 of 10 for 38 yards and a touchdown passing. He also has a rush for 5 yards.
Darius Slay INT, Jake Elliot FG: Panthers 3, Eagles 3
The Eagles lost yardage on their third possession of Sunday afternoon but still walked away with points to tie up the game with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter.
This was thanks to an errant throw by Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold and an acrobatic interception by Eagles defensive back Darius Slay — who forced the turnover and returned said interception 15 yards to the Panthers 10-yard line.
The Eagles went for it on 4th and goal from the 2-yard line and even scored, but they were called for an offensive pass interference (receiver pick play) and subsequently decided to settle for a field goal.
Zane Gonzalez FG: Panthers 3, Eagles 0
The Panthers forced an Eagles three-and-out and then put together an eight-play, 32-yard drive that ended in a 48-yard field goal from Zane Gonzalez — an early positive omen for a Panthers kicking game that has seen its fair bit of struggles in 2021.
Among the highlights of the Panthers’ first possession: Quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled for a first down. (Let the facetious Cam Newton — Sam Newton? — comparisons continue!)
What uniforms are the Panthers, Eagles wearing?
The Eagles are in their away white jerseys and white pants and green helmets. The Panthers are in their black jerseys with blue trim, gray pants and silver helmets.
Is Christian McCaffrey playing today?
The Carolina Panthers star running back has been ruled out after practicing in a limited role this week.
Who’s inactive for the Panthers-Eagles game?
PANTHERS: RB Christian McCaffrey, LB Shaq Thompson, T Cameron Erving, WR Shi Smith, DT Phil Hoskins CB Rashaan Melvin, DE Darryl Johnson
EAGLES: OT Lane Johnson, QB Gardner Minshew, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, CB Mack McCain, OL Jack Anderson
Panthers-Eagles injury report
View a full scouting and injury report for today’s game here.
Panthers: OT Cameron Erving (neck) OUT, LB Shaq Thompson (foot) OUT, RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) DOUBTFUL
Eagles: OT Lane Johnson (personal matter) OUT
How to watch Eagles vs Panthers game
Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is being broadcast on FOX. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WJZY-Fox 46.
The Panthers-Eagles game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below via 506 Sports.
This story was originally published October 10, 2021 at 11:43 AM.
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