Who’s Picking The Eagles: Week 7

The Eagles face the Panthers on Sunday night, in search of a winning record. Here’s how an assortment of media think the game will unfold.

NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison picks against the Eagles for the first time this season, predicting a 23-17 Carolina victory.

You might recall that this was the Monday night matchup last year when people were speculating about Cam Newton‘s desire, as the Panthers QB looked lazy on some throws and seemed to lack a sense of urgency. Others wondered how banged up Carolina’s franchise face was. Either way, the loss put the Panthers at 3-6-1 … and they dropped the next two. Then Riverboat Ron’s group went on a serious run, winning five in a row (including a playoff victory) before losing in Seattle.

Carolina has opened up this season with a five-game winning streak, giving them 10 wins in their last 11 contests. It will be interesting to see if Newton has as much success downfield on the Eagles as he did versus the Seahawks last week. Can Fletcher Cox and Connor Barwin repeat their performance from Monday night? No matter what, for Philadelphia to have any chance, Sam Bradford must play better. Those opportunities he had downfield against the Giants will be few and far between versus this Panthers defense.

Fox Sports’ Pete Schrager believes this year’s iteration of Ron Rivera‘s team is just too strong for the Eagles, picking the Panthers, 24-20.

Are the Panthers for real? We’ll find out in the next three weeks, with games against the Eagles (who blew them out on national television last year with Mark Sanchez under center), Colts and Packers. I think they are for real. Carolina’s won 12 of its past 15 games that have been decided by seven points or fewer. Here’s another.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports picks the Panthers in a close win, giving Carolina a 24-17 win on Sunday night.

The Eagles defense looked much better against the Giants Monday night, but now they have to go face a tough team on a short week on the road. Carolina impressed beating the Seahawks last week, and that will carry over here. Cam Newton stays hot.

Pro Football Talk keeps the pro-Panthers sentiment rolling, picking Carolina to stay undefeated after Sunday night.

MDS’s take: The Eagles’ defense is playing good football while the Eagles’ offense falters. But the Panthers are playing well on both sides of the ball, and they should be able to beat an Eagles team that still makes too many mistakes.

MDS’s pick: Panthers 20, Eagles 17.

Florio’s take: Sure, the Eagles have put together a couple of wins. But the Panthers are for real, and they get their chance with back-to-back prime-time games to prove it.

Florio’s pick: Panthers 33, Eagles 24.

All eight of CBS Sports’ panelists picked the Panthers to beat the Eagles.

Of ESPN’s 13-member panel, 11 people picked Carolina to top the Birds on Sunday.