The Philadelphia Eagles survived a thriller against the Green Bay Packers under the Friday night lights in São Paulo, Brazil. Philadelphia escaped with a 34-29 victory, despite three turnovers and questionable field conditions.
While the game certainly wasn’t pretty, it was a crucial win for the Eagles against one of the top teams in the NFC. Now they’ll fly back to Philadelphia and prepare for their home opener in Week 2.
Here are six observations from Friday night’s primetime matchup in Brazil.
Saquon Barkley Turns Back the Clock, Scores 3 TDs
Many questioned Eagles general manager Howie Roseman when he decided to sign star running back Saquon Barkley to a massive three-year $37.75 million contract with an $11.62 million signing bonus and $26 million guaranteed.
Roseman has avoided spending big money at the position in recent history, yet he said Barkley was a unique player with special abilities. In Week 1, Barkley showcased exactly why Roseman was comfortable paying him.
Saquon Barkley is having one of the greatest team debuts of all time.
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/Hvx7tUzGkI
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
The 27-year-old running back scored three touchdowns in his debut game for the Eagles, the second three-touchdown game of Barkley’s career and his first since his rookie season in 2018.
Barkley is the second player to score three touchdowns in his Eagles debut, joining Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens (2004).
“We’re so excited to have him,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said after the game. “He made some huge plays throughout this entire game. He made some huge plays in critical moments and scored a bunch of touchdowns…to have him on our football team means a lot,” Sirianni said. “Howie (Roseman) did a great job of putting this team together, and he’s a playmaker. And he’s a great leader and he’s a great person. People feed off his energy.”
Jordan Love Suffers Leg Injury Late in Fourth Quarter
As the Packers took the field trailing 34-29 with 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Jordan Love tried to will Green Bay to victory. Yet, his attempt fell short after suffering a left leg injury.
Love lateraled a pitch to running back Josh Jacobs, who ran out of bounds for a 4-yard gain. But Love was injured during the play and tackled just after he pitched the ball. Afterward, he was helped off the field, with backup quarterback Malik Willis taking over for the final two plays that resulted in an incomplete pass and then a sack.
Love was carried to the sideline after being hit on first down near midfield. There wasn’t an immediate update on Love’s status after the game, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur simply told reporters, “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
While the extent of Love’s injury is unknown, his absence would be a significant blow to the Packers. Malik Willis, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback who is in his first season with the Packers, is the current backup and would likely start in his place.
Despite Green Bay’s wide receivers dropping several passes on Friday night, Love moved the ball against the Eagles. He finished the game with 260 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Questionable Field Conditions Cause Players To Slip
On the very first play of the game for Philadelphia’s offense, Barkley slipped and was touched down for a 5-yard loss.
The field conditions at Corinthians Arena were less than ideal on Friday night, as players from the Eagles and Packers continued to struggle to find their footing.
Reactions poured in across social media, with many blasting the field conditions. This included former NFL star JJ Watt.
“Soccer fields are made for speed and agility. Smaller bodies gliding across the surface with minimal contact,” Watt said. “They are not properly conditioned to have the size & strength of NFL players cutting, pushing and driving all game on them. This is common at international games.”
The field conditions have been a problem in Brazil, with Packers and Eagles players slipping all over the place.
Here are consecutive plays on a Packers drive where their players slipped. 🏈😵💫🇧🇷 #NFL pic.twitter.com/qVhfOsdP44
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 7, 2024
Interestingly enough, Howard Eskin, sideline reporter on Eagles broadcasts, responded by saying, “Just to be accurate JJ, its new turf which was agreed to by Eagles and Packers heads of grounds crew. It’s the same grass as in Philadelphia and Green Bay. The slipping is caused by the high humidify and mist in the air. Making grass wet. That’s real reason for slipping.”
And David Bakhtiari, former Packers offensive lineman, said on Twitter/X, “My thoughts on the field surface: uncommon field surface for both teams. All players should be wearing 7-studs or a flex option in forefoot (shout out Redd and T-Bone). That’ll fix majority of the slipping.
“My brother and I were saying players should be pissed about this. There needs to be a consistent playing surface across all fields that players step on. No one wants to watch players slip, or dudes feet being locked in the turf, increasing the % of injury. It’s 2024.
The NFL is King. They got more than enough money. Spend a little to get a lot back. The fans and players deserve it.”
Jayden Reed Showcases Explosiveness With 2 Long TDs
While many players struggled to adjust to the slippery field conditions, Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed wasn’t bothered at all.
Reed showcased his explosiveness during his rookie season with the Packers in 2023. He averaged over 18.0 yards per reception in five games last season.
The second-year wide receiver quickly showcased his versatility against the Eagles, scoring both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the first half.
Jayden Reed's last 8.5 games:
43 catches, 539 yards, 6 TD catches
That means 1078 yards, 12 TDs, and a 76.8% catch rate over 17 games
WRs with 1070-12-75% for a full season:
2021 Cooper Kupp
2020 Davante Adams— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) September 7, 2024
Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe highlighted Reed’s promising projection based on the last 8.5 games of his NFL career. If Reed maintains this pace, he could enter elite company in 2024.
Despite only touching the ball four times, Reed recorded 138 total yards and two touchdowns. Reed’s 70-yard touchdown reception was the longest play of the game from either team.
Eagles, Jalen Hurts Struggle With Turnovers
Philadelphia’s offense was plagued by turnovers last season, and many believed Kellen Moore was the answer to Jalen Hurts’ struggles.
Moore’s arrival seemingly wasn’t the answer early, as the Eagles started the game with back-to-back turnovers in the first quarter.
Hurts threw a questionable deep pass to DeVonta Smith that resulted in an interception. Then, Hurts dropped an unexpected snap from Cam Jurgens, which caused the team’s second turnover.
Hurts has now thrown 16 interceptions in his last 17 regular-season games. He had 19 INTs over his first 46 regular-season games.
Hurts has never thrown an interception and a touchdown in the same first quarter before, according to TruMedia. He threw a second interception in the end zone during the fourth quarter as well.
Zack Baun Dominates in Debut at Inside Linebacker
When the Eagles initially signed Zack Baun in free agency this offseason, many expected him to continue playing on the edge. Yet, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio moved Baun to inside linebacker.
While many questioned the decision given Baun’s inexperience at the position, he thrived in his regular-season debut for the Eagles. Baun led the team with 15 total tackles and also recorded two sacks.
Zack Baun in his Eagles debut:
– 15 tackles (11 solo)
– 2 sacks
– 2 QB hitsThe former Saints LB fitting in nicely within Vic Fangio’s defense 😤 pic.twitter.com/gg9bB0t9bo
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 7, 2024
The 27-year-old linebacker also got a hand on a pass that Eagles safety Reed Blankenship picked off in the third quarter. If Baun continues to ascend at his newfound position, Philadelphia’s linebacker group should look noticeably better in 2024.