• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Panthers try to end struggles against NFC East, visit Eagles

Nov 29, 2006 - 1:06 AM Carolina (6-5) at Philadelphia (5-6) Monday 8:30 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- If the Carolina Panthers miss the playoffs, their struggles against the NFC East will be a major reason for it.

The Panthers look for their first win in three tries against an NFC East foe when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

Considered the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at the start of the season, the Panthers are fighting just to make it to the playoffs.

Carolina is in second place in the NFC South, one game behind New Orleans. The Panthers currently own the top wild card spot.

Two of the Panthers' losses have some at the hands of the NFC East. They suffered a 35-14 home loss to Dallas on October 29 and a 17-13 setback at Washington last week.

Jake Delhomme struggled against the Redskins, completing 23-of-38 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. He has just 12 TDs and nine interceptions on the season.

The Panthers will be hoping to regain the services of running back DeShaun Foster, who missed last week's game with an elbow injury. Rookie DeAngelo Williams rushed for 63 yards on 14 carries against the Redskins.

Whoever is the featured back for the Panthers should be salivating at the chance of facing an Eagles defense, which has sunk to 28th in the league against the run.

Last week, the Eagles surrendered 237 rushing yards in a 45-21 loss at Indianapolis.

Making his first start in place of Donovan McNabb, who is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, Jeff Garcia completed 19-of-23 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Speedy running back Brian Westbrook continues to be one of the lone bright spots for the Eagles, who have lost five of their last six games following a 4-1 start.

Westbrook has three straight 100-yard games and is fourth in the NFC with 1,369 yards from scrimmage.

Philadelphia has split its six home games.