Carolina erases 17-point deficit
PHILADELPHIA — Cam Newton and the Panthers ruined the Eagles’ dance party.
Newton tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen with 1:22 left and Carolina overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Philadelphia 21-17 on Sunday.
Julius Peppers sacked Carson Wentz, forcing a fumble to seal the victory.
The Panthers (4-2) achieved the biggest comeback in franchise history. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles fell to 3-4.
“This place was as advertised, playing in a hostile environment, but we overcame that and kept pushing through,” Newton said. “Good teams have to win on the road and win close games, and we did that.”
After Carolina took the lead, the Eagles started at their 30. A 48-yard pass-interference penalty on James Bradberry against Alshon Jeffery put the ball at the Carolina 22. Eric Reid appeared to intercept Wentz’s overthrown pass but the play was overturned on a video review. Wentz threw incomplete to Jeffery in the end zone on 3rd-and-2 and was stripped on the next play.
“Pressure is off,” Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson said. “Nobody thinks we can do anything. A lot of football left.”
Down 17-0, the Panthers watched a couple of members of Philadelphia’s kickoff team do a choreographed dance while others celebrated as if the game was over during an extended break before the ball was placed on the field.
Then the Panthers started their rally when Curtis Samuel ran in from the 14 on a reverse but Graham Gano missed the extra-point try.
“We collectively got together and knew that we had to up the tempo and have a sense of urgency,” said Stanford alum Christian McCaffrey, who had 80 yards from scrimmage.
Newton then quickly drove the Panthers 87 yards, tossing an 18-yard pass to Devin Funchess. Newton connected with Jarius Wright on the two-point conversion to cut Carolina’s deficit to a field goal with 4:08 left.
The Panthers got the ball at their 31 with 2:17 remaining.
Newton took a hit on fourth down and still completed a 35-yarder to Torrey Smith to reach the Philadelphia 34. A 22-yard pass to McCaffrey gave Carolina first down at the 4. Newton ran it to the 1, setting up third down. He threw it to Olsen in the back of the end zone.
Newton finished 25-for-39 for 269 yards and ran for 49 yards.
“I took that one extremely personal,” Newton said of a 23-17 loss at Washington the previous Sunday. “I told myself if we get in that position, I have to hold up my end. I didn’t want to let anybody down.”