Panthers vs. Eagles: Score and Twitter Reaction from Monday Night Football

When you dominate in every phase of the game, it doesn't really matter who's under center.

The Philadelphia Eagles proved that on Monday night, as they forced five turnovers, sacked Cam Newton nine times and scored a pair of early non-offensive touchdowns to cruise to a comprehensive 45-21 win over the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field.

Chip Kelly, via the team's official Twitter feed, praised the defense after the game:

That isn't to say Mark Sanchez, who was making his first start in place of the injured Nick Foles, wasn't wildly effective. He threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing an impressive rapport with rookie Jordan Matthews, who pulled in seven receptions for a career-high 138 yards and both scores.

Even Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Roddy White was impressed with Sanchez's play:

It's safe to say the polarizing quarterback is happy about his new environment, as the New York Post's Zach Braziller illustrated:

But the stars of the game were Philadelphia's defense and special teams. 

Darren Sproles, who had an eight-yard rushing score, took a punt 65 yards to the house in the first quarter that set the tone for the blowout. As WPVI-TV's Jeff Skversky noted, it was nothing new for the explosive, diminutive back when it comes to Monday nights:

Sanchez discussed Sproles' impact:

When the Panthers had the ball, it wasn't close to an even battle. The Eagles' pass rush ran through an overwhelmed offensive line and had Newton under duress all night. Three-and-a-half of the nine sacks went to linebacker Connor Barwin, who now has 10.5—just 1.0 away from his career-high—in his last six games.

Essentially, this, from SmartFootball.com's Chris B. Brown, was the theme of the night:

The pressure also forced Newton—whose receivers weren't getting open on the rare occasions he had time—into a slew of bad throws, one fumble and three interceptions. The last of those takeaways went to Bradley Fletcher, who easily strolled 34 yards to paydirt to cap off a 31-7 first-half effort.

Around the NFL's Twitter account provided an amazing stat in that regard:

The Eagles gained a healthy 5.9 yards per play, but it wasn't really necessary. Thanks to their annihilation of the Panthers on the defensive side of the ball, they had just two scoring drives that started on their own side of the field.

Matthews' second touchdown of the night made it 45-7 early in the fourth before Newton connected with his own rookie wideout, Kelvin Benjamin, for a pair of scores during garbage time. 

Fortunately for the Panthers, they play in the NFC South. They haven't won a game since October 5, have been embarrassed on national television two games in a row and yet are still just one game behind the New Orleans Saints in the loss column.

A Week 11 matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons will, amazingly, prove crucial at the top of the division standings, but if the Panthers are going to turn the season around, it will start on the offensive line.

For the first-place Eagles, a trip to Lambeau against the equally red-hot Green Bay Packers looms.

That may be the toughest test of the season thus far, but with Kelly's explosive offense and a playmaking defense, Philadelphia has proven it belongs in any discussion regarding the league's best teams.