The city of PhiladelphiaFollowing their pointless victory over the Giants (20–13), the Eagles left the field with a 14–3 record for the regular season. The starters watched the scoreboards to see who their next opponent would be while they watched the backups get some much-needed snaps. By the fourth quarter, they were aware that they would be playing the same team they had faced in the South American season opening.
The Green Bay Packers secured the No. 7 seed after their 24–22 loss to the Chicago Bears, which means they will visit Lincoln Financial Field the following Sunday at an unspecified time. Following a midseason run, the Packers have cooled off, losing three of their last six games, including one-possession losses to the Lions and Vikings on Sunday. Despite three turnovers, the Eagles barely defeated the Packers 34-29 in their season opener in São Paulo, Brazil. But with the Packers’ significant injuries on Sunday afternoon, the game’s outcome might be quite different. Going into the wild-card round, the Eagles seem to have the advantage.A closer examination at the Packers is provided here:
The Packers lost important offensive components in one of the most significant early-game events. Malik Willis momentarily replaced quarterback Jordan Love, who departed the game in the second quarter due to a throwing elbow injury. During halftime, Love entered the field and began to throw passes, but he was eventually benched for the rest of the match. After playing at a Pro Bowl level, Love has since returned to reality, as evidenced by his inability to reach 200 passing yards in his last four games. Willis, on the other hand, has starting experience. He started in Weeks 2 and 3 and successfully managed the game, completing 25 of his 33 passes (75.6%) for 324 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Packers to victories.
Christian Watson, a wide receiver, was taken off the field after suffering a non-contact knee injury while making a cut on a route. With an average of 21.4 yards per reception, Watson is the Packers’ greatest deep threat despite having just 29 catches in 14 games this season. Other receivers have more room to run underneath routes when he makes big plays downfield. The Packers still have Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, even if Watson’s injury prevents him from playing. With more targets (75), catches (55), and receiving yards (857) than any other wide receiver, Reed has been the team’s workhorse. Josh Jacobs, the Packers’ much sought-after free agency acquisition this year, averaged 5.3 yards per carry against the Eagles (16 rushes for 84 yards). In the last seven games, he has only once crossed the 100-yard milestone, and that was against the San Francisco 49ers.
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With an average of 321.4 yards per game going into Week 18, the Packers defense was sixth in the league. Running back Saquon Barkley may see more opposition than normal when the Eagles offense is in action because the Packers only allow 100.4 rushing yards per game, which is the seventh-best average in the league.
Despite missing Week 15 due to an ankle ailment, linebacker Quay Walker leads the Packers in tackles (102). The Eagles may spread the field and force mismatches with Barkley or Kenneth Gainwell by using Walker’s ability to cover running backs in space. But after having knee surgery, standout cornerback Jaire Alexander was placed on injured reserve, thus the Packers will be without him. His absence increases the secondary’s susceptibility to airborne attacks.
The Eagles were successful beneath in the season opener, as Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 18 passes for 155 of his 278 yards on attempts within 10 yards. If Jeff Hafley, the defensive coordinator for the Packers, uses a deep safety plan to limit downfield opportunities for wide outs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, they might follow suit.
Additionally, special teams might be quite important. With an average of 30.1 yards per kickoff return going into the last week of the season, Packers return specialist Keisean Nixon is still a threat. Given that the Packers let Bears wide receiver Tyler Scott break off a 36-yard kickoff return and Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell return a punt 94 yards for a touchdown, the Eagles might also win the return game.
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