In a game where quarterback Jalen Hurts and the passing game had difficulties, the Philadelphia Eagles relied on their top-ranked defense to defeat the Green Bay Packers 22-10 in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Sunday.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love had not thrown an interception since November 17 against the Chicago Bears, a streak of over seven games. However, he was intercepted twice in the first half, including a key interception in the final minute by All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun.
The Eagles’ defense finished the regular season ranked first in yards allowed per play (4.7) and second in points allowed per game (17.8). Vic Fangio’s defense overwhelmed a Packers offense that was missing receiver Christian Watson (torn ACL) and lost more players during the game, including receiver Romeo Doubs.
Hurts struggled after missing the last two games of the regular season because of a concussion. Wide receiver A.J. Brown also had an off game, making only one catch for 10 yards, after missing two days of practice this week due to a knee injury.
The Eagles showed during the regular season that they can win even when one part of their team is not performing well, and they proved this again in the playoffs, where the competition is stronger.
However, the offense will need to improve to continue advancing in the playoffs.
Jalen Hurts completed 13 out of 21 passes for 131 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Eagles’ 22-10 win.
Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)
Key stat: Hurts went 90 minutes between completed passes before finding his rhythm late in the third quarter. He completed 6 out of 13 passes for 39 yards before going 3 out of 3 for 61 yards on a drive that started with 5:46 left in the third quarter. Tight end Dallas Goedert finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown reception.
Important play: With the Packers trailing by nine points midway through the fourth quarter, they needed a scoring drive to keep their hopes alive. It looked like Love had completed a fourth-and-3 pass to receiver Malik Heath, but Heath landed out of bounds, causing a turnover on downs.
Most surprising performance: Former Packers linebacker Oren Burks made an impact early with a big hit on returner Keisean Nixon on the opening kickoff, knocking the ball loose and giving the Eagles a takeaway that led to seven points. Burks also filled in for Nakobe Dean, who left in the first half due to a knee injury, and had five tackles.
Green Bay Packers (11-7)
For most of Sunday’s 22-10 loss, the Packers’ defense did its job, but the offense and special teams struggled.
This situation felt familiar, as the Packers lost in the playoffs in a similar way to their defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round in 2021. In that game, the Packers were the No. 1 seed.
This time, they were the No. 7 seed, trying to upset the No. 2 seeded Eagles. The Packers had managed to pull off a similar 2-7 upset in last year’s playoffs when they won against the Dallas Cowboys. However, this season, the Packers entered the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.
Things were made worse when Love finished the game without his top three receivers. After Watson suffered a torn ACL in the regular-season finale, Doubs (evaluated for a concussion) and Jayden Reed (shoulder) were both hurt in the second half.
Love had completed 6 out of 6 passes to Reed and Doubs before they left, but he struggled to connect with other receivers. Love ended the game 20 out of 33 passes for 212 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Packers are now 0-6 against top NFC teams, losing twice to the Eagles, Lions, and Vikings this season.
Problematic trend: The Packers have repeatedly had issues with special teams in playoff games. The game started with Nixon fumbling the kickoff return, and later, kicker Brandon McManus, who had missed only one kick all season, missed a 38-yard attempt wide right in the second quarter when the Packers were down 10-0.
Last year’s playoff loss to the 49ers included a missed field goal attempt in the final minutes. In their 2021 playoff loss to the 49ers, the Packers had a blocked field goal and punt, the latter of which was returned for a touchdown.
Another troubling trend: The Packers are now 1-12 with Love as the starter when trailing by at least 10 points, including playoffs. Their only win in that situation came against the Saints in Week 3 of last season, when they came back from a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17. Since then, Love has lost 11 straight games in such situations.
Biggest issue in the game plan: The Packers were unprepared after former Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins suffered a shoulder injury and didn’t return. They first tried rookie sixth-round pick Travis Glover, who had played only 13 snaps all season.
Glover lasted just 20 snaps and was pulled after committing three penalties, including two holds and an ineligible downfield infraction. Kadeem Telfort replaced him at the two-minute warning of the first half, but he was also called for holding in the third quarter.
