They opened the regular season in Brazil way back in September and the Green Bay Packers play at the Eagles once again as the NFC Wild Card Weekend opens, this time at Lincoln Financial Field. Obviously, everything is important and the only thing that matters is to win and stay alive.
We’ve got your storylines for this Sunday, 4:30 PM battle between the 11-6 Packers and the 14-3 Eagles, with many more that could be added …
1. Jalen Hurts: Looking for a complete game from offense
In the 34-29 win to open the season, the Eagles struggled offensively out of the gates with two early giveaways. Fortunately, the defense held Green Bay to six points and quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense found its stride and ended up producing more than 400 total net yards, big plays in the passing game, and three touchdowns from running back Saquon Barkley. Hurts has missed the last two full games, plus three-quarters of the game at Washington after suffering a concussion. It’s important for the offense to find its footing early. So, how do the Eagles get Hurts and the offense going quickly? That is something to watch as Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore and the coaching staff see the game plan come to life on Sunday. A stat to remember: Green Bay outscored its opponents 58-17 in its final seven games of the regular season and the Packers scored 118 points (third-most in NFL) in the first quarter this season.
2. Eagles running game against a good Green Bay run defense
Ranking seventh in the NFL in run defense (allowing 99.4 yards per game), Green Bay’s defense is keyed by the way it plays the run. The Packers are fifth overall in defense (314.5 yards per game) and the Packers only allow 19.9 points per game. It all starts with a downhill approach on defense, and a very aggressive front seven. Rashan Gary is a handful – he has 7.5 quarterback sacks and 9 tackles for loss. Green Bay doesn’t rely on the blitz; instead, the Packers win with a solid scheme, winning in one-on-one battles and tackling very well. Two rookies, Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Bullard, energize this group. The Eagles, of course, run the ball and run it extremely well – second in the NFL with 179 yards per game. Philadelphia believes it can run against any team in the NFL with its great offensive line, good blocking on the perimeter, and Barkley and Hurts leading the way on the ground.
First appeared on www.philadelphiaeagles.com