Panthers vs. Eagles Recap: Under 46.5 and DeVonta Smith Cash

The Panthers won 25-14 in Philadelphia in a game Carolina controlled from the first quarter. Ryan Fitzgerald opened the scoring with a 47-yard field goal, Tommy Tremble caught two touchdown passes from Bryce Young, and Carolina outgained Philadelphia 399 to 222. The Eagles, with Tanner McKee making the start at quarterback, ran for just 35 yards on 13 carries and punted on six of their first seven drives. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Under 46.5 total points (-314 DraftKings / -310 FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: The main total was 39.5 with McKee starting for Jalen Hurts, who is on IR, and Saquon Barkley out. Games between these teams had stayed under 46.5 in 16 of the last 20.
• What happened: The teams combined for 39 points, 7.5 under the number. It was 10-7 at halftime, and Carolina added a field goal and two touchdowns after the break, but the game never turned into a shootout. Philadelphia had only two drives that reached the end zone.
• Worth watching: When a backup quarterback starts and the main total drops below 40, an alt under with a full touchdown of cushion is the kind of number we like. The price was steep, so it only makes sense when the cushion is this wide.

DeVonta Smith 40+ receiving yards (-237 DraftKings / -270 FanDuel): CASHED

• Our read: Smith had 40-plus receiving yards in 5 straight games and in 8 of his last 10. We trimmed confidence because it was McKee's first start, with Hurts on IR and Barkley out.
• What happened: Smith caught 7 passes on 14 targets for 75 yards, clearing 39.5 by 35.5. His 19-yard touchdown catch from McKee with 10:42 left cut the lead to 19-14.
• Worth watching: The volume was the story. With the run game stuck, McKee threw 45 times and leaned on Smith more than anyone else. If McKee starts again, Smith's yardage floor looks solid.

How the game played out

Carolina's offense ran through Chuba Hubbard, who carried 28 times for 120 yards and scored on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter to cap a 14-play, 92-yard drive that took 7:43 and bridged the third and fourth quarters. Young threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and Jalen Coker led Carolina with 97 receiving yards. The Panthers held the ball for 34:48 and committed zero turnovers, though they were flagged 13 times for 149 yards.

Trends to watch

• Smith drew 14 targets, the most on either team. Target volume like that is what props up a receiving yardage line with a new quarterback.
• Hubbard's 28 carries show how Carolina wants to close out games with a lead. His rushing attempts line is worth a look when the Panthers are favored.
• Tremble caught all 4 of his targets, two for touchdowns. He is a name to track in touchdown markets near the goal line.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn how an alt line works, check the math on implied probability, or go back to the NFL hub.