Carolina Panthers-Philadelphia Eagles Game Guide: Eagles Visit the Bank

The Carolina Panthers will kick off the 2009 season on Sunday with a visit from the Philadelphia Eagles, last year's NFC runner-up. Both of these teams met a similar fate last year, falling to the Arizona Cardinals amidst their Cinderella-esque run to the Super Bowl.  The Panthers and Eagles both head into 2009 with high expectations—Philadelphia more because of its reputation and Carolina because of their 12-4 record a year ago. Success will not come without hard work for either club.  Both have questions about their defense and will be looking to maintain a high powered offense.  The Eagles have already lost starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to a season ending knee injury, while the Panthers lost their monster-sized run stuffing defensive tackle in Ma'ake Kemoeatu to an Achilles injury on the first day of training camp. Coping with and adjusting to these losses are the focal point of the coaching staffs as they look for a way to replace key c...