Eagles Step Up In All Phases To Support Sanchez In Debut
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mark Sanchez had his struggles throughout his career on Monday Night Football. He had his well documented struggles with the New York Jets. On Monday night against the Panthers, Sanchez had the opportunity to try to rewrite a script that many were assuming may have been complete.
Like any great story, it was all about the supporting cast on Monday night. The Eagles put together an all-out three phase effort that gave Sanchez every opportunity to impress in his first game as the Eagles starting quarterback.
The defense made their contribution early and often as they forced turnovers on the first two Panthers drives of the game resulting in 10 points on the strength of a Cody Parkey field goal and a Darren Sproles touchdown run.
Sproles was once again played the hero role for the Eagles. To add to the offensive score he also gashed the Panthers for a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown in the final minutes of the first quarter. The score was the Eagles' 8th special teams or defensive return for a touchdown on the season.
The impact on special teams gave the Eagles a 17-7 lead that while manageable at the time, seemed to take all the life out of the Panthers.
As the Eagles forcibly took momentum from the Panthers, Carolina seemed to be handing it away just as quickly.
Early in the third quarter, the Eagles enjoyed a 31-7 lead. On the Panthers first possession Cam Newton, who had been under pressure since the opening snap, was chased down by Connor Barwin and Fletcher Cox. The pressure forced a fumble leading to a Vinny Curry recovery.
The Eagles responded with a bomb to Brent Celek to set them up at the one yard line followed by a cake walk of a touchdown for LeSean McCoy.
The sequence characterized the look of much of the night. The Eagles were taking the game, and the Panthers looked all too satisfied to let them do so.
The defense played one of their most complete efforts of the season. The team managed to sack Newton nine times. They came away with three interceptions (Nate Allen, Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams). Fletcher managed to earn his first career touchdown on a pick six.
When the defense wasn't coming away with the sack, they were in Newton's face and at his feet.
Barwin finished the night with 3.5 sacks to give him 10.5 on the season.
In addition to the defense and the special teams helping out Sanchez, he also got a boost from his offensive weapons, particularly the second unit weapons that he undoubtedly built a comfort level with in training camp and throughout the season.
Sanchez's utilized Brent Celek and Jordan Matthews as the two pass catchers had by far the best games of their season.
Matthews finished the night with seven catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns and Celek was impressive with 5 catches for 116 yards before leaving the game due to injury.
Sanchez night really became a breeze when Matt Barkley subbed in with just over five minutes to go as the Eagles enjoyed a 45-21 lead. The game wasn't even that close to that point.
It will not be that easy for Sanchez every night. The odds of the Eagles playing the way they played in all three phases is indeed low. The Panthers certainly didn't put up much of a fight. With that said, Sanchez showed poise and comfort that was afforded to him by an all around performance from all three phases of the game.
Sanchez finished the night with 332 yards and two touchdown passes while completing 20-37 passes.
When the clock hit midnight following the game, it was officially Sanchez's birthday. He got quite the early gift from his teammates.
The Eagles new starting signal caller has to be hoping for that type of total team effort on a weekly basis.
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