Did the Packers ruin their playoff chances by playing their starters?
Mackenzie Salmon and Tyler Dragon break down the injuries on Packers offense and their chances to win against the Eagles in Wildcard Weekend.
Sports Seriously
The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers meet once again, this time, on the road to Super Bowl 59.
Green Bay and Philadelphia first met in Sao Paulo, Brazil in Week 1, an international thriller that that went 34-29 in the direction of the Eagles. Week 1 matchups are seldom potential playoff previews, but this one was clearly the exception for two of the NFC’s best.
In any other season, an 11-6 record might be good enough to win a division. Instead, the Packers finished third in the NFC North behind the No. 1 seed Lions (15-2) and the No. 5 seed Vikings (14-3). They weathered a few injury scares to quarterback Jordan Love, but the passer is fully healthy for Sunday’s showdown.
The Eagles were dealing with an injury scare of their own, also to quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had been in concussion protocol ahead of the playoffs. The passer was cleared ahead of their matchup vs. Green Bay, allowing a collective exhale from Philadelphia and its faithful.
That means all systems are go for a playoff showdown between two ascending and established passers on Sunday.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the wild-card matchup between the Eagles and the Packers on Sunday below. All times are Eastern.
Philadelphia went 57 yards in just seven plays to reach the red zone for the second time in the game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts found wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a 10-yard gain to get to the Green Bay 13-yard line. From there, the Packers defense held firm to force three straight incompletions.
Philadelphia settled for a field goal and Jake Elliott made it from 31 yards out to give the Eagles a two-score lead with 19 seconds to go in the first quarter.
Eagles 10, Packers 0
Philadelphia’s edge rusher beat Green Bay right tackle Zach Tom almost immediately, forcing Jordan Love to scramble to his right to extend the play. Smith Jr. made it to him before he could fire off a pass and earned a sack on 3rd-and-3.
Green Bay punted on the next play and the Eagles will take over at their own 30-yard line following a short return by Cooper DeJean.
Green Bay’s left guard Elgton Jenkins appeared to suffer an arm injury on a 1st-and-10 run. Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. appeared to hit Jenkins’ arm with his helmet. Jenkins headed to the sideline with rookie sixth-round pick Travis Glover now in the lineup for him.
Philadelphia got close to midfield after a 10-yard completion from Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown but the Eagles managed just five yards over the next three plays. On 3rd-and-5, Packers’ rookie cornerback Javon Bullard made a stop on a screen pass to Saquon Barkley and force Philadelphia to punt.
Green Bay’s offense takes over again at their own 20-yard line with 9:13 to go in the first quarter.
Green Bay was backed up to their own 13-yard line following a penalty on the Eagles’ kickoff. The Packers managed just two yards on a Josh Jacobs run on 2nd-and-10 as two incomplete passes by Jordan Love forced a quick three-and-out.
After a punt, Philadelphia will take over at their own 35-yard line with 12:09 to go in the first quarter.
It took a matter of three plays for Philadelphia to capitalize on the kickoff fumble. A Saquon Barkley run for 16 yards on the opening play of the drive brought the Eagles into the red zone. Two plays later, quarterback Jalen Hurts hit Jahan Dotson in the back of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown.
Jake Elliott‘s extra point is good and Philadelphia takes the lead with 13:21 left in the first quarter.
Eagles 7, Packers 0
Green Bay received the opening kickoff and Keisean Nixon made it past the 25 before the ball was jarred loose by the Eagles’ Oren Burks. A scrum for the ball occurred after and the officials initially ruled Philadelphia ball. After review, that call was upheld and the Eagles take over at the Green Bay 28-yard line.
The Packers vs. Eagles wild card game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Packers travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia for the tilt.
The Packers will be without wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered an ACL injury in Week 18. That will keep him out of the rest of the season and potentially some of the 2025 season.
No real surprises on the Eagles’ inactives list today: The Eagles opt for Parris Campbell over Ainias Smith to fill out their wide receiver room. Jalen Hurts returns from a concussion.
Looking to make the Eagles-Packers wild-card matchup a bit more interesting? Here are some of the best bets for the game:
Yes, Hurts is expected to start vs. the Packers. The Eagles quarterback cleared concussion protocol earlier in the week, meaning he’s all-systems-go for the NFC wild card matchup.
For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries Fox, as well as CBS, NBC, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.
Fox will be the broadcast home of the Eagles-Packers matchup. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be on the call, with Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews on sideline duties.
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Eagles-Packers matchup will go:
The Eagles are favorites to defeat the Packers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
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Below is a look at the divisional round of the AFC playoffs with all wild card games now complete
All three AFC playoff matchups were played before the NFC contests on wild-card weekend, so the divisional round bracket remains unsettled.
The Eagles vs. Packers game will be the first of the bunch to be played. The conference’s playoff scenarios will become clear after that contest.
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