The Eagles had their standard number of coverage breakdowns, missed tackles, turnovers and questionable coaching decisions Monday night before a nationally televised audience that watched them lose for the seventh straight time.
They fell 30-22 at the Linc to a 2-8 Panthers team and were treated to a chorus of boos by the home crowd, many of whom left after Carolina went ahead 30-22 with 4:40 to play in the game on Cam Newton?s two-yard touchdown run.
The Eagles actually led 22-21 going into the fourth before the Panthers reeled off nine straight points. Newton, a struggling sophomore quarterback, passed for two touchdowns and ran in two touchdowns as he frequently burned the Eagles? defense with big plays through the air and tough runs.
Rookie quarterback Nick Foles was average in his second NFL start, and that?s probably being kind. He didn?t throw a touchdown and relied primarily on his checkdowns as the Eagles mostly moved the chains on the incredible rushing of Bryce Brown, who rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
Why it happened
The Eagles clung to a one-point lead as they entered the fourth, but Brown?s second fumble of the game gave the ball back to Carolina, which converted the turnover into a Graham Gano go-ahead field goal.
Brown was later dropped on a 4th-and-1 at the line of scrimmage for no gain at the Carolina 40-yard line. Newton then hit Steve Smith for a 31-yard gain into Eagles territory to set up his two-yard touchdown run that built the Panthers? eight-point lead.
Brandon Boykin returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards -- the longest in more than two years -- but, fittingly, fumbled for the team?s third turnover.
Foles was unspectacular for most of the game, mostly dumping the ball off and choosing the shorter stuff. Granted, DeSean Jackson left in the first half with a sternum injury and didn?t return. Foles didn?t throw any interceptions but was nearly picked off three times, twice on the first possession.
Alex Henery made all three field goals and has now nailed 19 straight, surpassing David Akers? franchise record of 17 straight.
The Eagles were, once again, a mess on defense. Carolina had open receivers all over the place and the secondary was once again plagued by confusion. The Eagles have allowed at least 28 points in each of their past five games -- or since Todd Bowles replaced Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator -- for the first time in franchise history.
What it means
The Eagles have reached loss No. 8 of their nightmare season, a very significant number for coach Andy Reid. Team chairman Jeffrey Lurie declared that the Eagles must show substantial improvement from last year?s 8-8 mark for Reid to keep his job, and it?s now mathematically impossible to be any better than 8-8.
The question is: Will Lurie wait until the end of the season to fire Reid or will he pull the trigger anytime in the near future?
Start thinking about draft picks because the Eagles will likely be picking in the top five. They?re tied with Carolina and two other teams at 3-8. Only two teams -- Kansas City (1-8) and Jacksonville (2-7) -- have fewer than three wins.
You can probably lock Kansas City into the No. 1 overall pick. The Jags are playing better and have winnable games left against the Bills, Jets, Dolphins and a rematch against the Titans, who they just beat Sunday.
The Eagles still have games against Dallas, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Washington and the New York Giants. All five teams of those teams are in the playoff hunt.
Offensive hero
Newton, who averaged 1.3 touchdowns per game in his first 10 games, accounted for four TDs -- two passing, two rushing - and 358 total yards. He passed for 306 yards and rushed for 52.
Offensive zero
Foles didn?t have much to work with but he really didn?t show you that he?s the future, either. He passed for just 119 yards and didn?t throw a touchdown. That?s two straight starts without a touchdown pass.
Defensive hero
Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson forced the Brown fumble that gave the ball back to Carolina and allowed the Panthers to go up in the fourth on Gano?s field goal.
Defensive zero
Once again, the Eagles' secondary takes it. Kurt Coleman was roasted in coverage and missed tackles. Nate Allen was beat a few times. So was Nnamdi Asomugha. A repetitive theme.
Injuries
Jackson left with a sternum injury and never returned. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox left with a lower back contusion and didn?t return.
Did you know?
Brown's 65-yard touchdown run was the seventh-longest ever by an Eagles rookie and longest by a rookie since LeSean McCoy?s 66-yarder Nov. 1, 2009.
Who's next?
The Eagles (3-8) hit the road to face Dallas (5-6) on Sunday night for another nationally televised showdown. The Cowboys, who lost 38-31 to the Redskins on Thanksgiving, had some extra time to rest up while the Eagles make a quick turnaround.
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