Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (7-2): 7-10
How complicated it was for both teams… Long dominated by the defenses, the match settled in the last quarter thanks to the individual talents of a few players in attack. But in the end, and obviously, the match was decided by defensive action from the Eagles.
While Green Bay was trailing (7-10) and had 2 minutes to move up the field to equalize or win, the locals failed. In a 4&1 situation in midfield, Green Bay is penalized for an illegal formation. Worse, on the action Josh Jacobs loses the ball under pressure from newcomer Jaelan Phillips. The Eagles therefore choose not to accept the penalty to recover the leather.
3 races later, Philie made a strange choice by attempting a 4th pass. By missing it, the visitors gave the Packers the opportunity to have one last chance with 30 seconds to play. Green Bay goes up until it can attempt a 64-yard field goal. Brandon McManus tries but completely misses his shot.
Nick Siriani played with fire at the time but succeeded in his bet. His men take back control of the NFC. On the Green Bay side, once again the attack is floundering between lack of rhythm, questionable and conservative playcalling…
The art of catenaccio
The first half is completely locked by the defenses of both teams. They cause 7 punts and 2 ball losses (1 on each side). The Eagles have 125 yards of offense compared to 83 yards for Green Bay. However, we cannot say that halftime is unpleasant. The defenses are playing really well and it's not the attacks that seem completely off base this time.
The proof with for example the first offensive series of the Eagles. The visitors achieve a first big drive with 9 minutes of possession and 16 actions! But on the last one, Jalen Hurts (15/26, 183 yards, 1TD, 1FUM) tries to escape on 3rd attempt and while he is going to get the first down on Green Bay's 10 yards, Edgerrin Cooper emerges to kick the ball. It slips out of the pitcher's hands and Green Bay covers.
An almost identical scenario at the end of the half but reversed. The Packers enter the Eagles red zone and endanger the Eagles defense for the first time. Except that this one makes 2 consecutive sacks on Jordan Love (20/36, 176 yards, 1FUM). On the last one, 30 seconds before halftime, the defense even caused the fumble! It covers and prevents the first points from being recorded.
The two teams therefore return to the locker room with a score of 0 to 0.
DeVonta Smith as savior
The first attack of the second half allows us to see the first points of the match. Dallas Geodert (4 rec, 43 yards) is omnipresent (35 yards, 3 rec on this series) and Philadelphia enters opposing territory. But a penalty breaks the dynamic and the visitors play it conservative by running on 3&12. Behind, they secure the field goal (0-3).
After a succession of punts, the Eagles and their attack finally managed to break the Packers' defensive barrier. And it takes all the individual talent of Saquon Barkley (22 races, 60 yards; 3rec, 41 yards) and DeVonta Smith (4rec, 69 yards, 1TD) to achieve this.
The runner first managed to transform a lateral reception into a 41-yard gain! A spark that sets the opposing defense on fire. Behind, Jalen Hurts targets DeVonta Smith in a deep 1v1. The receiver rises higher than his defender and receives the leather in the endzone! 36-yard touchdown (0-10) for Philadelphia 10 minutes from time.
Back against the wall, Green Bay is hanging on. Jordan Love converted a big 3&8 thanks to Dontayvion Wicks (4 rec, 38 yards). Then a defensive error from the Eagles takes the locals into the opposing 15 yards. The moment chosen by Josh Jacobs (21 races, 74 yards, 1TD, 1FUM; 5rec, 33 yards) to show his power with a full-center run that no one can stop before the endzone. Green Bay comes back to 7-10 with 5 minutes left in the match.
Unfortunately for the locals, the Wisconsin men missed their chance on their last offensive series. Josh Jacobs' loss of the ball and the penalty on 4th killed the hopes of an attack that never took off this evening.
