Monday Night Football: Panthers can pounce with Vick out

Panthers' head coach Ron Rivera

Romilly Evans says some key injuries to the Philly playmakers give Carolina a distinct advantage in tonight's big game

Michael Vick has done his fair share of time in recent years. And along the way, this reformed offender has garnered a stoic persuasion that reputations are hard won and easily lost. Vick is now learning a similar truth with regard to his own fitness. Since even this elite athlete has been unable to recover in time for Monday Night Football, after a concussion sustained a fortnight ago against Dallas.

The Philadelphia Eagles report their main man in "stage three" of the league's five-step rehab process and Vick's absence is both a blow to team morale and TV schedulers who are once again debating the dubious merits of a B-list cast for a Primetime slot.

The Eagles are also without their star running back, LeSean McCoy, who's out with a head injury too and has even further to go in the recovery process. As a result, Philadelphia must rely on rookies Nick Foles and Bryce Brown - at QB and RB respectively - to bear the burden. Both have their fledgling ability but look out of their depth for this national baptism of fire. In terms of offensive weaponry, it's like trading a rapier missile and a tank for a catapult and a cavalry horse.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they're hosting the Carolina Panthers, a team with their own problems on offense and an even worse regular-season record (2-8). These struggles have been epitomized by quarterback Cam Newton, who has failed to live up to the promise of his first year in the NFL. He ranked 17th in the league among QBs last term but has plummeted to a lowly 29th this term with some deeply disappointing QB ratings.

That said, the versatile Newton is the only player in NFL history to have chalked up 6,000 yards passing (for 30 TDs) and a further 1,000 yards rushing (with another 15 TDs) inside his first two seasons. So he must be doing something right. And, in truth, the Panthers' leader has had his fill of near misses, especially on the road of late, where a poor 1-3 record masks the fact that their three losses have only come by a combined margin of nine points - and against superior opposition to tonight's.

The depleted Eagles could now be right for the picking off. And then there's the added spice of coach Ron Rivera returning to Lincoln Financial Field to try and get one over on his former mentor, Andy Reid. In short, despite their woeful results, the Panthers won't be lacking for motivation. Newton's key receiving crew of wide man Steve Smith and tight end Greg Olsen have had success in Philly before and will benefit from those warm and fuzzy memories.

If the Carolina D can keep that human highlight reel, DeSean Jackson, off the air, this could even prove a comfortable win in a once hostile venue. I certainly expect the Panthers to overcome the handicap.

Recommended Bets:
Back Carolina Panthers on the Money Line @ 1.738/11 or better
Back Carolina Panthers (-3 points) on the Match Point Spread @ 2.0621/20 or better
Back Carolina Panthers (-2.5 points) on the First-Half Point Spread @ 1.9720/21 or better