The 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles are riding high on an 8-game win streak thanks to Saquon Barkley and this Eagles defense. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been playing some of their best football in a long time but have lost the last two games on the last play of each game. Bryce Young vs. Jalen Hurts for the first time is another storyline that people are looking at as the two former Alabama quarterbacks are facing off for the first time. Here are a few starts and sits for this game.
Panthers vs. Eagles Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts is going to have his top wide receiver duo back with the return of DeVonta Smith from a hamstring injury. Smith and AJ Brown will unlock this passing game when the Eagles need to use it and the Panthers have one of the worst passing defenses in the league. There is a high possibility of multiple passing touchdowns for Hurts this week. Plus the running ability of Hurts should be more elevated than normal against the worst rush defense in terms of rush yards allowed per game. Look for Hurts to have a strong fantasy day at home this weekend.
Eagles Defense
This Eagles Defense has been the best in football over the last two months of football and I expect that the defense will have a huge day against this offensive line of the Panthers this week with them having at least 5 sacks. I also expect the Eagles to have an interception or two against Bryce Young this week (Maybe Quinyon Mitchell finally gets one?). Start the Eagles’ defense in DFS this week.
Panthers vs. Eagles Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Adam Thielen
Whether Thielen lines up inside in the slot or outside in the offensive formation, he’s going to run into either Cooper DeJean or Mitchell mostly. Thielen did have a huge game last week against Tampa Bay but that secondary isn’t this Eagles secondary. I think Thielen is going to be in a box this weekend.
Bryce Young
Young has been playing well for this upstart Panthers team, however, as I have been pointing out thus far in this article, this Eagles’ defense will be too much for Young this week in Philadelphia. Young has struggled against pressure all year long thus far in his career and the Eagles will create pressure a lot this weekend.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Saquon Barkley
Barkley could have another huge game this weekend like he did against the Rams in LA a couple of weeks ago where he went for 255 rushing yards. Obviously, I don’t think he will for that many yards this week, but Barkley is going to have a huge game on Sunday against the Panthers 32nd 32nd-ranked run defense.
I think he’s going for at least 130 yards on the ground at the minimum and multiple touchdowns in this game to continue his stellar performance as of late after being named NFC Offensive Player of the Month of November the other day.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard is going to struggle against this Philly run defense led by Jalen Carter and Milton Williams at the defensive tackle spots as well as Jordan Davis when he’s in there. Also, the Philadelphia linebacker duo Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean are both playing at an all-pro level at the moment. So good luck to Hubbard this weekend.
Conclusion
The Eagles should handle the Panthers at home this weekend by double-digits, especially if everything goes the way it has been thus far for both teams heading into this game. There is a possible future for the Panthers but this isn’t the spot for them to pull off the upset. Total Apex Fantasy already has released a few of the game slates for this week and is the place to be for great fantasy advice, especially for DFS.
