Sweet Carolina....

Preview of Panthers vs. Eagles

5 Things to watch:

The Sanchize

One of the biggest stories to come out of last weeks win over the Texans was that Eagles starting QB Nick Foles is undoubtedly out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. But to our surprise, in stepped backup QB Mark Sanchez and the Eagles didn't miss a beat scoring 24 more points and leading the offense to the tune of 483 total yards...so what does that tell us? 

Is this a new Mark Sanchez? The same Mark Sanchez of the infamous 'butt fumble'? Is this Sanchez able to lead these Birds (successfully) through the regular season and into the playoffs? Was Nick Foles really not what the Birds thought he was? Does Chip Kelly's system not need that quintessential QB to run an offense? Well, I guess we will find out. The good news is Mark Sanchez is probably the best backup QB in the NFL and has won games-playoff games too-in his short lived NFL career. The bad news: he's Mark Sanchez. 

Casey at the Bat

The 2nd and probably more important story to come out of last weeks win was the loss of Linebacker and defensive leader Demeco Ryans. Ryans was placed on IR which means his 2014 season is finished and we are left to deal with 4th year pro Casey Matthews as his fill in. Don't be surprised if Eagles fans aren't scared shitless given Matthews ineptitude of being an inadequate linebacker given his bloodline in his forgetful 4 years in the league. He'll be asked to either spy Cam Newton or cover TE Greg Olsen, or worse, both. Many a curses will fly in his direction come Monday night. Be forewarned. 

Super Man Cam

Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is in his 4th season and can be a one man wrecking crew. He's a duel threat with his arm and his legs, already surpassing 13,000 passing yards and running for over 2,200 more in his short, illustrious career. He can keep drives alive with his feet, especially if Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews swings and misses. Cam's favorite targets have been rookie Kelvin Benjamin (40 receptions, 589 yards, 5 TDs) and TE Greg Olsen (45 receptions, 539 yards, 5 TDs). Look for the Eagles to spy him on defense. If they can't contain Cam, he can and will turn into Superman. 

Return of the Mac-lin

If you were giving out mid-season team awards, you might have to give the Eagles MVP to WR Jeremy Maclin. Maclin is having a phenomenal year and is on pace to be one of the top receivers in the game by years end. If he continues this torrid pace, the Eagles must re-sign him before he hits the open market at the end of the year. The question is, will Sanchez continue to utilize Maclin as the deep threat he has become? 

Carolina's Defense, or lack thereof

Chip Kelly must expose the weakness of this Carolina's defense which ranks 18th against the pass and 26th against the run. It's the perfect formula to ease new quarterback Mark Sanchez into his first start. Run, run, run, then run some more. Pass when you have to. Sanchize's strength is managing games, not taking them over. 

3 Musings

Listen closely to this conversation bachelors:
Wife: Can you hand me the crockpot?
Husband: (hands wife the crockpot)
Wife: No, not that crockpot.  
Husband: (ears start to bleed)
This is marriage. Get used to it. 

Customer Service at the checkout line is not ignoring me while having a conversation with another cashier as you run my shit through the scanner. I get that your job sucks but do either one of two things: 
1) at least acknowledge me being there by simply saying 'hi', 'hello', or 'how are you today, sir?'
2) if you must continue your conversation with the other cashier, include me in on it. Maybe I'd like to give my two cents as to why your friend is a hussy bitch who got you kicked out of the party.

My version of hell is simple. Forced to watch continuous marathons of "Keeping up with the Kardashians". Can any one family be more egotistical and self-absorbed? Why are they even famous? Because their dead father represented a murderer and their one slut daughter got banged on video by a half-ass rapper and then sold the tape? If that was the case, Delaware County is a hotbed for celebrities. 

Reason No. 3,117 as to why I suck at Fantasy Football

I lost last week in both of my leagues. I went from 3rd to 8th in one, and went from 3rd to 5th in the other and (technically) fell out of the playoff picture in both with just that one loss. Last week and this week I have gotten killed by the bye (average of 3 players each week in both leagues) and, AND I dropped Cleveland's Defense before they shellacked Cincinnati on Thursday Night Football. Need some Fantasy God help this week to stay in the race....

Prediction; Eagles 31, Panthers 17

I hate picking the Eagles again, but the Panthers defense is bad, very bad. If Chip is smart, he'll let his running backs do the talking to set up the pass and let Mark Sanchez manage a very winnable game. Keep Sanchez's attempts around 20-25 and just run McCoy and Polk off into the sunset for another Eagles victory. Do it. Do it.