The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers were two teams seemingly heading in different directions in 2023. While the Eagles fell short of the team’s Super Bowl aspirations, the Packers far exceeded expectations last season.
Now two of the top teams in the NFC will open the regular season with a monumental matchup in Brazil. After undergoing significant changes this offseason, the Eagles are eager to prove that last season’s disastrous performance was a fluke against the upstart Packers.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers Game Preview
The Packers hold a significant lead over the Eagles in all-time head-to-head matchups. Green Bay is 28-18 against Philadelphia. Although, the Eagles did beat the Packers in a shootout during their last matchup in 2022, as Philadelphia won 40-33.
Both franchises look drastically different since that last matchup; the Packers have handed the reins to Jordan Love and the Eagles revamped the team’s coaching staff this offseason.
Now the Eagles and Packers are set for an NFC showdown in Week 1 to make an early season statement in the conference. Here is my game prediction, five crucial stats, and more.
5 Crucial Stats for Eagles vs. Packers
Stat: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts had a passer rating of just 75.2 against the blitz in 2023. The Packers were the third-best team last season at generating pressure without blitzing (38.6%, NFL average: 33.3%).
Analysis: It’s no secret that Hurts struggled against the blitz last season. New Packers DC Jeff Hafley will likely blitz at a significantly higher rate than Green Bay has in recent years. This is why the team’s success at rushing the passer without blitzing in 2023 should be concerning for the Eagles in Week 1. How will Philadelphia stop Green Bay’s pass rush?
Stat: The Eagles were the run-heaviest red-zone team in 2023 (63.8%, no other team was above 59.7%, and the league average was 51.2%). The Packers allowed opponents to score touchdowns on 66.7% of their red-zone possessions during the preseason in 2024.
Analysis: Given Green Bay’s blitz-heavy scheme, Philadelphia could rely on the team’s rushing attack in Week 1. The Packers struggled to stop teams in the red zone during preseason, and the Eagles could feed Saquon Barkley in that area on Friday night.
Stat: The Packers converted 19 of 20 goal-to-go drives into touchdowns last season. In 2023, the Eagles allowed touchdowns on 80.6% of the goal-to-go drives Philadelphia’s defense faced (tied with the Arizona Cardinals for the fourth-worst mark in the NFL).
Analysis: Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is notorious for his bend-but-don’t-break defensive scheme. Yet given Green Bay’s success in goal-to-go scenarios in 2023, that might not be a successful strategy for Philadelphia in Week 1.
Stat: The Eagles were the third-worst defense last season in terms of percentage of passes that resulted in touchdowns (5.4%). In 2023, 5.8% of Jordan Love’s passes resulted in touchdowns.
Analysis: Love caught fire for the Packers during the second half of last season, and he’ll be looking to build on that success in Week 1. While the Eagles revamped the team’s secondary this offseason, it’s fair to wonder if Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Love will be too hot for Philadelphia to handle in Brazil.
Stat: The Packers shuffled up their kicker situation after five missed PATs last season (their 87.2% conversion rate on extra points was third worst in the league). Undrafted rookie kicker Brayden Narveson will start for Green Bay in Week 1.
Analysis: While the Eagles have All-Pro kicker Jake Elliott on their roster, the Packers are rolling with a relatively unknown kicker in Week 1. Despite a successful performance in the preseason, Narveson will now be asked to kick on the NFL’s biggest stage on Friday night in Brazil. Will the bright lights be too much for the undrafted rookie?
3 Players To Watch During Eagles vs. Packers
Cam Jurgens, C, Eagles
Legendary Eagles center Jason Kelce’s retirement has been well-documented. Now third-year center Cam Jurgens will be tasked with filling a massive void in the middle of Philadelphia’s offensive line.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
While many will be fixated on the success of the “tush push” as a measuring stick of Jurgens’ success, he will have bigger issues to worry about as Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark is one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL.
Clark has already talked about his new role in Hafley’s 4-3 defensive front. After years of taking on double-teams, Clark will have a newfound freedom to attack offensive linemen in 1-on-1 situations. Will Jurgens be able to hold his own against Clark in Week 1?
Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers
While Josh Jacobs endured a down year in 2023, he was viewed as one of the best running backs in the NFL just two seasons ago. Jacobs is exactly the type of versatile, bruising running back that could exploit Philadelphia’s relatively inexperienced defensive front.
Similar to the Eagles, Green Bay opted to make a significant investment at running back this offseason. Jacobs will replace Aaron Jones as the RB1 for the Packers in 2024, as the team will likely rely heavily on him in Week 1.
If the Eagles aren’t disciplined with their run fits, Jacobs could wreak havoc in Brazil, similar to how Cardinals running back James Conner embarrassed Philadelphia’s defensive front last season.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Eagles
After projected starting linebacker Devin White was ruled out due to an ankle injury, Nakobe Dean will be thrust into the starting lineup. However, Dean was reportedly in line to start at middle linebacker regardless of White’s injury.
Now Dean will be forced to don the green dot in the middle of Philadelphia’s defense against one of the best offenses in the NFL. Given his struggles in coverage, the Packers will likely target Dean early and often on Friday night.
Despite his struggles against the pass, Dean could have a significant impact as a blitzer and against the run. If Dean remains disciplined, he could be an unexpected difference-maker for the Eagles in Week 1.
Eagles vs. Packers Prediction
While the Packers are viewed as a rising contender in the NFC, it’s hard to bet against the Eagles in Week 1. Despite all the negativity surrounding Sirianni, Philadelphia has been an absolute force early in the regular season during his tenure as head coach.
Over the past two seasons, the Eagles are 20-2 through their first 11 games, easily the best mark in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are second with a record of 17-5.
MORE: Simulate the Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
Many are pointing to the unknown of Hafley’s defensive scheme and the issues it may cause for the Eagles. However, on the flip side, Philadelphia has yet to reveal Moore’s scheme as several starters didn’t play at all in the preseason.
Therefore, the Eagles should escape Week 1 with a massive win to kick off the regular season. Moore will put Hurts and all of Philadelphia’s playmakers in a better situation to succeed against the blitz, while Jalen Carter will wreak havoc against the interior of Green Bay’s offensive line.
Final Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Packers 24