By Matt Schneidman, Zach Berman, Brooks Kubena, and Amos Morale III
In a tense matchup at Lambeau Field on Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to edge out the Green Bay Packers with a final score of 10-7, marking their seventh win of the season. This game was particularly notable for featuring the first scoreless half since 2023, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
The game's scoring drought was finally broken in the third quarter when Eagles kicker Jake Elliot successfully converted a 39-yard field goal. As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts showcased his skills by connecting with DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 10-0. The Packers responded with a touchdown of their own, courtesy of a 6-yard run by Josh Jacobs, bringing them within striking distance. However, an ambitious 64-yard field goal attempt by Brandon McManus in the game's final seconds fell short, sealing the Eagles' victory.
Despite the win, the Eagles offense struggled to find its rhythm following the bye week, spending much of the game in a lackluster performance. They faced challenges with ineffective early-down plays and uncreative third-down strategies. However, the star power of the Eagles shone through in critical moments. Saquon Barkley executed a remarkable spin move that turned a modest 5-yard gain into a significant 41-yard advancement. Similarly, Smith, despite being one of the smaller players on the field, displayed his jump-ball prowess with a leaping catch for the night’s first touchdown, which came remarkably quickly after just two plays.
The inconsistency of the Eagles' offense remains a concern. Despite having one of the most talented rosters in the league, their ability to maintain offensive explosiveness has been sporadic, a point echoed by Eagles beat writer Zach Berman.
Another focal point of the game was the performance—or lack thereof—of A.J. Brown. Though he was targeted twice on the opening drive, he did not see significant action again until the game was nearly over. Brown has recorded fewer than four targets in only three games since joining the Eagles in 2022, and his limited usage raises questions about how to optimize the offense's explosiveness moving forward.
The Eagles' defense played a pivotal role in the narrow victory, providing the offense with the necessary time to regroup. With the Packers threatening late in the game, the Eagles' defensive front, bolstered by new acquisition Jaelan Phillips, stepped up. On fourth-and-1, Phillips forced and recovered a fumble from Jacobs, effectively sealing the game for Philadelphia.
Despite entering the game with an offense that ranked fifth in the NFL for yards per play (5.9), the Packers were held to just 3.9 yards per play by the Eagles' defense. Jordan Love, the Packers' quarterback, struggled throughout, completing 19 of 32 passes for only 158 yards—his lowest total since last season. The Eagles' defensive front recorded three sacks, with linebacker Nakobe Dean playing a crucial role in a two-play sequence that included a sack and a forced fumble.
The Packers' defense, led by coordinator Jeff Hafley, demonstrated its strength against the Eagles, effectively limiting the defending Super Bowl champions for most of the game. Despite their defensive prowess, the struggling Packers offense failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, leaving them unable to score until their eighth drive, which resulted in a late touchdown.
Throughout the game, the Packers found themselves unable to convert drives into points, averaging just 6.43 points in the first half over their last seven games. On Monday night, they reached the Eagles' territory on four of their first seven drives but failed to score. Their lone touchdown came late in the game, and even with a chance to tie, they could not convert on a critical fourth-and-1 situation.
As the Packers prepare for their upcoming matchup, questions linger about the future of the team, including the potential for coaching changes following the disappointing performance against the Eagles.
