PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles officially became the worst team in the NFC Monday night.
They sank to the bottom of the conference standings with their seventh straight loss, this time suffering a 30-22 defeat to Carolina at chilly Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles (3-8) are now in the midst of their longest losing streak since they dropped their final seven games during coach Rich Kotite's final season in 1994. Coach Andy Reid will almost certainly be gone after this season, given owner Jeffrey Lurie's preseason mandate that the Eagles needed to significantly improve upon last year's 8-8 record in order for Reid to return in 2013.
The Eagles showed a fight and desire against the Panthers that had been missing in recent weeks, but still couldn't stop the slide.
Carolina (3-8) earned the win by outscoring the Eagles 9-0 in the fourth quarter on place-kicker Graham Gano's 23-yard field goal and quarterback Cam Newton's 2-yard run.
Newton accounted for all four of the Panthers' touchdowns by throwing two TD passes and running for two scores. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 295 yards.
His exploits overshadowed a remarkable performance by Eagles rookie running back Bryce Brown. Brown, who was making his first career start in place of injured LeSean McCoy (concussion), rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, but also fumbled twice.
The seventh-round draft pick set the Eagles' single-game rookie rushing record, breaking the mark of 134 yards set by Correll Buckhalter against Arizona in a 2001 game.
