Eagles have done very well in games officiated by the referee for Sunday’s Panthers matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles have a few notable advantages heading into their Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers.

The rest difference is one of them. The Eagles last played on Thursday, October 11 while the Panthers played on Sunday, October 14.

Home field advantage is also significant with the Eagles winning 17 out of their last 20 meaningful games at Lincoln Financial Field.

And then there’s another factor that certainly wasn’t working in the Eagles’ favor during last year’s game against the Panthers: officiating.

In 2017, Pete Morelli’s crew called a HISTORICALLY lop-sided game against Philadelphia. Despite this, the Eagles found a way to beat the Panthers (and the refs) anyway.

This week, the Eagles won’t have to deal with a crew that’s called way more penalties against them than their opponents. Just the opposite, actually.

Clete Blakeman is the referee for this week’s Eagles versus Panthers game and Philadelphia has played very well in the games he’s officiated. Dating back to 2009, the Eagles are 9-1 in such contests.

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown:

2009 — Field judge — Eagles 27, Washington 17 — Eagles with 12 penalties for 66 yards, Washington with 6 penalties for 60 yards

2010 — Referee — Eagles 35, Lions 32 — Eagles with 9 penalties for 75 yards, Lions with 9 penalties for 51 yards

2010 — Referee — Eagles 59, Washington 28 — Eagles with 6 penalties for 35 yards, Washington with 6 penalties for 41 yards

2011 — Referee — Eagles 45, Jets 19 — Eagles with 7 penalties for 62 yards, Jets with 11 penalties for 93 yards

2012 — Referee — Eagles 13, Saints 28 — Eagles with 7 penalties for 58 yards, Saints with 4 for 35

2013 — Referee — Eagles 31, Buccaneers 20 — Eagles with 3 penalties for 31 yards, Buccaneers with 8 penalties for 72 yards

2014 — Referee — Eagles 27, Giants 0 — Eagles with 3 penalties for 25 yards, Giants with 10 penalties for 75 yards

2014 — Referee — Eagles 33, Cowboys 20 — Eagles with 4 penalties for 20 yards, Cowboys with 6 for 42 yards

2016 — Referee — Eagles 24, Giants 19 — Eagles with 1 penalty for 5 yards, Giants with 5 penalties for 50 yards

2017 — Referee — Eagles 33, 49ers 10 — Eagles with 4 penalties for 35 yards, 49ers with 6 penalties for 69 yards

In summation, the Eagles have been penalized 56 times for 377 yards. Their opponents, meanwhile, have been flagged 71 times for 588 yards.

The Eagles have outscored their opponents by a total 327 to 193 in these games. That’s a 13.4 point average margin of victory.

But wait, the numbers are even more favorable when you isolate the Eagles’ four home games officiated by Blakeman.

2011 — Referee — Eagles 45, Jets 19 — Eagles with 7 penalties for 62 yards, Jets with 11 penalties for 93 yards

2014 — Referee — Eagles 27, Giants 0 — Eagles with 3 penalties for 25 yards, Giants with 10 penalties for 75 yards

2016 — Referee — Eagles 24, Giants 19 — Eagles with 1 penalty for 5 yards, Giants with 5 penalties for 50 yards

2017 — Referee — Eagles 33, 49ers 10 — Eagles with 4 penalties for 35 yards, 49ers with 6 penalties for 69 yards

The Eagles have been called for 15 penalties for 127 yards while their opponents have been flagged 32 penalties for 287 yards. More than twice as much.

In those four games, the Eagles have outscored their opponents by a total of 129 to 48. Philly’s average margin of victory is a whopping 20.25 average.

After last year’s Morelli debacle, it’s hard to feel bad for the Panthers if Blakeman’s crew continues to be favorable towards the Eagles. Philadelphia certainly won’t mind an extra boost as they try to advance to 4-3 on the season.

...

RELATED READINGS: Eagles open as home favorites in Week 7 game vs. Panthers | Eagles’ next opponent blows potential game-winning drive | Advanced scouting of the Carolina Panthers’ offense.