12:12AM EST November 27. 2012 - PHILADELPHIA -- So now what for embattled Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid?
Will Reid turn back to Michael Vick, if he continues to recover from a concussion suffered two weeks ago and is cleared to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys? Or will Reid stick with rookie Nick Foles, who failed to win his second start in Monday night's 30-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers?
That is the choice Reid will mull in a bid to stop a seven-game losing skid in a lost 3-8 season.
BOX SCORE: Panthers 30, Eagles 22
FORMER EAGLE: 'Offended' by lack of leadership
At least Foles, who completed 16 of 19 for 119 yards, wasn't the reason his team lost on a night when dynamic rookie tailback Bryce Brown eased the pressure, only to lose two killer second-half fumbles.
A full moon hung over half-empty Lincoln Financial Field with several Eagles fans wearing paper bags over their heads mocking their abysmal team.
In a lowly Monday Night Football matchup Panthers receiver Steve Smith billed "The Battle of the Bads'', the Panthers proved themselves the less miserable team.
The 3-8 Panthers had dual-threat quarterback Cam Newton's and Brown's fumbles to thank for gaining a measure of redemption.
Brown, a seventh-round pick out of Kansas State making his first start for a concussed LeSean McCoy, jetted for a pair of touchdowns, including a 65-yarder as the Eagles seemed on their way to snapping a six-game losing skid.
They led 22-21 following Brown's 5-yard score with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
But then Brown, who finished with 178 yards on 19 carries, fumbled a second time.
Seven plays later, kicker Graham Gano converted the go-ahead, 23-yard field goal after Newton threw a pair of touchdowns and added a pair of second-half rushing scores.
And so the lost season continues for the 3-8 Eagles, who have lost seven straight for the first time since 1994 under Rich Kotite.
Analyst Jon Gruden was in ESPN's Monday Night Football booth while Reid, who said last week he wouldn't quit on his team, still stood on the Eagles sideline. But it was only natural to wonder if Gruden, the former Eagles offensive coordinator from 1995-1997, will be owner Jeffrey Lurie's choice to replace Reid when this sorry season ends.
A primetime national television audience got to see just how dysfunctional the Eagles' 24th-ranked scoring defense is.
They let Panthers receivers run free much of the night.
It happened when Luis Murphy pulled down a 55-yard Newton, third-quarter jump ball between two defenders to set up Newton's fifth rushing touchdown this season.
It happened so often that, when Newton hit a wide-open Brandon LaFell down the seam for a 43-yard scoring strike, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles lit into rookie cornerback Brandon Boykin for his coverage bust.
It was a fitting sign for a defense that has failed to listen to Bowles, the former secondary coach, since he was elevated to replace the fired Juan Castillo during the Oct. 21 bye week.
A similar miscommunication occured when Newton hit tight end Gary Barnidge, who split safeties Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen on a 24-yard touchdown connection.
The Eagles' most consistent weapon, second-year kicker Alex Henery, drilled three field goals, extending his club-record streak to 19 straight when he converted from 25 yards for a 15-14 lead.
After Brown flashed that game-breaking speed on his 65-yard, second-quarter touchdown bolt, Reid made a questionable move to go for a two-point conversion.
With the Eagles trailing 14-12. And 10:56 left in the first half.
It failed when Foles threw incomplete.
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/27/cam-newton-panthers-defeat-eagles-30-22/1728801/