The Philadelphia Eagles extended their winning streak to nine games with a hard-fought 22-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, clinching a playoff spot later in the day thanks to losses by Arizona and Atlanta. Despite the triumph, frustrations mounted among key offensive players.
DeVonta Smith, who snagged a touchdown pass but had limited opportunities, voiced his discontent, and fellow receiver A.J. Brown showed visible frustration after being held to just four catches. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, while contributing two touchdown passes and a rushing score, faced criticism for a lackluster passing game and missed opportunities to involve his star receivers.
“We know there’s more out there for us,” Hurts said. “Let the dissatisfaction fuel you for more.”
One bright spot for Philadelphia was Saquon Barkley, who set a franchise single-season rushing record, surpassing LeSean McCoy’s 2013 mark with a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter. Barkley finished with 124 yards on the ground, continuing his MVP-caliber season.
The Eagles (11-2) remain second in the NFC standings behind Detroit (12-1) but are under pressure to refine their passing game as they prepare for a postseason run. They face cross-state rival Pittsburgh next Sunday, looking to balance their offense and satisfy their star receivers.
The Carolina Panthers (3-10), led by rookie quarterback Bryce Young, kept the game competitive until the final drive but fell short in their upset bid.