"Thursday Night Football" for Week 6 matches up two of the three teams that share the best record in the NFC at 4-1. The Carolina Panthers are coming off their second straight win by three points, as they defeated the Detroit Lions 27-24 in Week 5. The Philadelphia Eagles won their third straight in a convincing 34-7 win in Week 5 over the Arizona Cardinals.
Eagles' offense
- Passing leader: Carson Wentz 110-177 (62.1%), 1,362 yards, 10 TD, 3 INT
- Rushing leader: LeGarrette Blount 56 carries, 323 yards (5.8 y/c), 1 TD
- Receiving leader: Zach Ertz 32 receptions, 387 yards, 2 TD
The Eagles have scored at least 20 points in every game this year, and their 27.4 points per game are the sixth-most in the NFL.
They also have at least 354 yards of total offense in all five games.
Second-year quarterback Carson Wentz is coming off a career-high four touchdown passes in Philadelphia's Week 5 win over the Cardinals (he previously never had more than two in a game). He has more than doubled his touchdown rate from last season while also decreasing his interception rate. His three 300+ passing yard games this season already equal his total from 2016.
LeGarrette Blount has provided excellent value after signing for just one year/$1.25 million this offseason. His 5.8 yards per carry are the fifth-most in the NFL (minimum of five carries per game). He is averaging 92.3 yards over the last three games, and on the season Philadelphia is fifth, averaging 138.8 rushing yards per game.
Panthers' defense
- Tackles leader: Luke Kuechly 42
- Sacks leader: Julius Peppers 5.5
- Interceptions leader: Luke Kuechly 1
Carolina's defense has been giving up more points in recent weeks, but they have been facing better offenses. They are also near the bottom of the NFL with only three turnovers forced and one interception. They have forced just one turnover since Week 1.
Despite only intercepting one pass, the Panthers have exhibited one of the better pass defenses in the NFL. They are allowing a fairly high amount of pass attempts to be completed (69.8%), but many of those completions are short, as their 5.2 yards allowed per pass ranks fourth in the league.
Teams have not been able to establish the run against Carolina this season as opposing teams have been held to no more than 80 rushing yards in four of the five games.
Their run defense will be tested against a Philadelphia offense that has experienced plenty of success running early on.
Panthers' offense
- Passing leader: Cam Newton 99-145 (68.3%), 1,237 yards, 8 TD, 5 INT
- Rushing leader: Jonathan Stewart 77 carries, 251 yards (3.3 y/c), 0 TD
- Receiving leader: Devin Funchess 24 receptions, 269 yards, 3 TD
The Panthers' offense has begun to click in their last two games after some early season struggles. After averaging 15 points in their first three games, they have averaged 30 in their last two. Carolina's 21 points per game through five weeks ranks 18th out of 32 teams.
Along with the improved scoring, the Panthers have also seen 2015 MVP Cam Newton look to be at his best in Weeks 4 and 5.
He completed 74.2% of his passes in those two games, averaging 335.5 yards and throwing six touchdowns. His first three games saw him throw only two touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Carolina's running game had its two best games of the season in Weeks 3 and 4 before stumbling to 28 yards on 28 carries in Week 5. They rank 27th in the NFL with just 3.4 yards per carry. Rookie Christian McCaffrey has been a threat as a receiver but has not quite had the impact expected as a runner yet.
Eagles' defense
- Tackles leader: Jalen Mills 31
- Sacks leader: Brandon Graham 3.5
- Interceptions leader: Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Rasul Douglas 1
The Eagles' defense hasn't always been stout, but they have performed well enough to help them win games, along with one of the better offenses.
They have also been an opportunistic defense, forcing fumbles and recovering five of them.
Slowing down Cam Newton won't be easy, especially a Philadelphia defense that is 29th in pass yards allowed. Opponents are completing 65.5% of their passes, which is lower than what Carolina is allowing, but the Eagles' 6.8 yards allowed per pass attempt is much higher. They will be without starting cornerback Ronald Darby for a fifth straight game, who suffered a dislocated ankle.
Much like Carolina, the Eagles have not allowed teams to get going via the run game. They have allowed under 65 yards rushing in four of their five games. In their last three games, teams have ran the ball 44 times for only 138 yards. They also may be receiving two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox as he comes back from injury after missing the last two games.
