Published: Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 / Updated: Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 11:45 PM
Panthers-Eagles: Five plays that mattered
Nick Foles’ fumble
The setup: With the Eagles driving on the opening possession, rookie quarterback Nick Foles fumbled a snap and lost 4 yards, setting up third and 14.
What happened: After Sherrod Martin almost intercepted Foles’ third-down pass, Alex Henery kicked a 36-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead with 11:12 to play in the first quarter.
Why it mattered: The Panthers giving up only 3 after the Eagles stormed to the Red Zone was a victory.
Bryce Brown’s long run
The setup: Panthers leading 14-6 with 11:07 to play in the second quarter, second and 7 for Eagles.
What happened: Rookie running back Bryce Brown, who hadn’t started a game since high school after a college career that bounced from Tennessee to Kansas State, ran 65 yards off the right side for a touchdown. The run was aided by the bad angle safety Sherrod Martin took trying to make the tackle. A two-point conversion failed, leaving the Panthers with a 14-12 lead.
Why it mattered: The Panthers, who have struggled to close out tight games all season, let the Eagles back in after leading 14-3.
Nakamura’s pass interference
The setup: First and 10 Eagles at their 44, with the Panthers leading 21-15 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.
What happened: Panthers safety Haruki Nakamura, increasingly off the field in passing situations as the season has progressed, is flagged for a 51-yard pass interference penalty against wide receiver Jeremy Macklin, moving the Eagles to the Carolina 5, first and goal.
Why it mattered: Brown carried for the touchdown on the next play, giving the Eagles a 22-21 lead.
Brown’s second fumble
The setup: Brown’s second fumble in three carries -- wrapped around his second touchdown run -- gave the Panthers the ball at the Eagles’ 45 with 1:15 left in the third quarter.
What happened: The Panthers put together a seven-play, 40-yard drive that produced a 23-yard Graham Gano field goal and a 24-22 Panthers lead with 12:40 to play.
Why it mattered: The field goal gave the Panthers a fourth-quarter lead for the 19th time in coach Ron Rivera’s 27 games. The Panthers were 8-10 in those games coming in.
The fourth-and-inches stop
The setup: Eagles facing fourth and inches at the Panthers 39, trailing 24-22, with 8:42 to play.
What happened: Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards led a charge that stopped Brown short of the first down, giving Carolina the ball.
Why it mattered: Rivera has implored his team to make a play when it matters all season. Here, Edwards did. The Panthers followed with a 60-yard, six-play drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Newton that gave the Panthers a 30-22 lead after Gano, signed this week, missed the extra point.