Panthers-Eagles Preview

The Carolina Panthers have a lot to prove Sunday afternoon when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in their first game of the 2009 regular season, and Carolina is most certainly out to erase the team’s 0-4 preseason record as well as an embarrassing 33-13 loss to the Cardinals in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs. Can the Panthers overcome two big deficits to punch out an impressive regular season record this year? It all starts with Sunday’s game against the Eagles, so look for this explosive team to be on the prowl as the season begins this weekend.

The Panthers have 20 of 22 starters returning this season including Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, and although injuries have seemed to plague the team (Thomas Davis, Na’il Diggs, Maake Kemoeatu, Jon Beason and Jonathan Stewart have all sat on the sidelines lately) so far this offseason, coach John Fox is still optimistic for the season, claiming that the team’s 0-4 preseason record shouldn’t be counted against the team, as “we’ve had a lot of nicks throughout the preseason,” Fox said. “I don’t think we’ve had our whole starting group out there at all.” The Panthers will get their chance to shine Sunday as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles, and it may be to their advantage that Michael Vick cannot yet play in regular season games. Philly leads the regular season series against Carolina 4-1, so look for the Panthers to claw their way back into the forefront of the league this weekend when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.

To get Carolina Panthers tickets, go to StubHub.