NFL Football
2026-10-18 - Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 6
Sunday 18th October 2026 - Scheduled 1pm EST
6pm (British Time)
Preview
One team is travelling back from London and the other is playing after a Bye Week, but the big news of the week is that the Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) are going to be playing without Jalen Hurts. Losing the starting Quarter Back, a couple of the starting Running Backs and having a new look Offensive Line means the next few weeks look potentially challenging for the Philadelphia Eagles and they are pretty big home underdogs in Week 6.
Tanner McKee will be getting the start for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Carolina Panthers (2-2) who lead the NFC South without a winning record.
The Eagles have to go with McKee after it was announced Jalen Hurts has a 'superficial blood clot' and that is going mean the Eagles are going to have to take a patient approach to his recovery. The backup Quarter Back made a single start for the Eagles last year and ended up throwing 1 Touchdown and 1 Interception against the Washington Commanders, but Tanner McKee will know that a start in Week 6 of the regular season is much different than having one at the end of any season.
Philadelphia's changes on the Offensive Line has impacted the ability to run the ball, but they have not been helped by having to go with a third or fourth string Running Back. Those players have perhaps not the holes as confidently as someone like Saquon Barkley and it may not be a game in which the Eagles can exploit the problems Carolina have had when it comes to stopping the run.
If Jalen Hurts was playing at Quarter Back, things would feel different, but the Panthers could choose to load the box and dare Tanner McKee to beat them.
Jalen Hurts would at least offer some threat to throw the ball, but can also have runs designed for him, but Tanner McKee is going to have to try and find a rhythm with a set of Receivers who have been struggling. Doing so from behind the chains will be very difficult and the Carolina Panthers should be well prepared having had the Bye Week following the win over the Detroit Lions.
It isn't that long ago that Bryce Young looked like being a bust in the NFL, but the Carolina Quarter Back has over 1250 passing yards with 9 Touchdown passes and 2 Interceptions this season. He was a key to the Panthers winning the NFC South last year and Young had a solid showing in his first Playoff start, which will have given him motivation to take into the 2026 season as he looks to back up that campaign.
The Panthers will look to run the ball first and foremost, but they won't find that easy against this Eagles Defensive Line and so they will be looking for some more magic out of the Quarter Back position.
However, that looks like a real possibility after recent games in which the Eagles Secondary have really allowed opponents to rack up the yards and so Bryce Young could return with another big game.
Philadelphia are not getting much of a pass rush generated and that has allowed Quarter Backs to hurt them in the Secondary and Bryce Young may be next to have a big game. He will have to be aware of the Interceptions that the Eagles have been able to pick up, but the Carolina Panthers should keep the chains moving with some consistency and that may see them move into a position to cover as the road favourite.
The Panthers do have a Divisional game coming up, but they are coming out of a Bye Week and will be expected to do so with a bit more confidence than they did in the 2025 season.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
Philadelphia Eagles 17-24 Carolina Panthers
