Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Game Preview – CAR at PHI

Posted October 17th, 2026 | No Comments »

Are you ready for the Tanner McKee era? He’ll start in place of Jalen Hurts on Sunday and we found out today the job will be his for a while. After considering the options…

Ugh.

The key here is Hurts health. Blood clots can be serious medical issues. If he needs a month (or more) to get healthy, so be it. Football is just a game. Your health is your health, as I’ve learned the hard way this year.

Let’s focus on McKee and the Eagles for now. We’ll talk more about Hurts when we have more info. McKee is getting a huge opportunity. He will get to start at least four games. That is huge for him since he’s a free agent after the season. He can show teams that he deserves to be a starter, is a top backup, or is just a guy. It is up to McKee to show what he can do.

The Eagles get a chance to see what the offense looks like with a different QB running it. Maybe the change will make a difference. McKee doesn’t have Hurts raw talent, but he might do some things better within the framework of the offense. Might is the key word there. McKee sure didn’t impress anyone this summer. He got to practice with the starters this week and will have a gameplan built around his skill set.

McKee won’t have all of his weapons to work with. DeVonta Smith returns, but Saquon Barkley is out (as well as Bigsby and Shipley). The RBs will be Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, and the newly added Jaydon Blue. We don’t know for sure about Drew Kendall, but it looks like it will be:

Mailata – Lampkin – Kendall – Steen – Bell

If Kendall can’t go, Jake Majors will take his place. Landon Dickerson remains on IR.

No matter who plays up front, the Eagles need a good performance by them. Carolina has struggled to stop the run this year. They’ve gotten better each week, but are 31st in rush yards allowed. The Eagles would love to have a functional ground game to take some pressure off McKee. It would be interesting if the coaches went with the Case Keenum playbook and let the backup throw a bunch of passes. There is something to be said for doing what isn’t expected.

The Panthers defense is confusing. They shut down an explosive Lions run game, but gave up 406 passing yards in that game. They gave up 291 rushing yards in the season opener. They have allowed 59, 3, 26, and 21 points. They struggle on third downs and in the red zone. It feels like the Eagles will have some opportunities in this game. McKee has to play smart and his guys need to make plays for him.

Rookie Cole Payton will be the backup QB. The team signed Joe Milton to be the #3 QB. I wonder if they talked to Andy Dalton about coming back or preferred to go with a younger player with upside. Milton might have the strongest arm in the league. He played well for Dallas in the preseason.

The Eagles won’t have any chance in this game unless the defense shows up. Carolina is 4th in the league in points scored. QB Bryce Young has finally started to play up to his draft status. He leads the league in passing yards per game and has a QB rating of 100.0 this season. Young has a pair of outstanding receivers in Tet McMillan and Jalen Coker. They’ve combined for 44 catches and 4 TDs. TE Darren Waller gives them an athletic pass catcher who can work the middle of the field.

Chuba Hubbard is a good RB (5.0 ypc) so you can’t just focus on the pass. RT Taylor Moton returns from injury. The line has struggled with pass pro so getting him back is a big help. Young likes to throw downfield so the pass rush should have some chances to make plays.

Jonathan Greenard practiced on Friday and will test his ankle on Sunday. I’m guessing he’ll be able to play. The team needs him to play and be disruptive. Jalyx Hunt is out with his ankle injury. That means more reps for Arnold Ebiketie, who flashed last week. Jalen Carter is coming off his best game. It would be great to see him play like that for an extended period. With all the injuries, the Eagles need some of their top guys to come up big.

Zack Baun had a terrific showing in London. He can impact the game with his ability to both cover and blitz. Jeremiah Trotter Jr and Jihaad Campbell will split snaps at the other LB spot, assuming one of them isn’t ejected on the opening kickoff.

We aren’t sure what to expect at safety. Drew Mukuba will be one of the starters. Michael Carter started last week, but he’s out due to an abdomen injury. Marcus Epps returned to practice this week from his own injury. He could get his starting job back or Vic Fangio could decide to go with Kenny Moore, who played last week. Moore is better in coverage, but Epps is a veteran safety. There is an argument to be made for both.

The Eagles corners played well last week and will need another strong showing since they are going against good WRs. Riq Woolen vs McMillan could be fun since both are big, gifted athletes.

A good game from the STs unit would help the Eagles since they’ll be missing so many key guys on offense and defense. Nick Sirianni’s team needs to find every edge they can to help them win this game. The Eagles are at home. We’ll see if that helps. The Panthers are coming off a bye. Teams coming off a bye and playing an opponent who was in the UK the previous week are 4-0. Not an ideal stat for the guys in green.

I expect the Eagles to battle in this game. Can they avoid mistakes and make key plays? That will determine whether they can pull off the upset. It won’t surprise me to see them find a way to win, but I certainly wouldn’t bet much money on it.

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Here are the latest roster moves.

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