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Eagles vs Packers: Predictions, key matchups and players to watch

The Eagles are trending upward! They are coming off their bye week and are starting to exhibit the same qualities that carried them to their second Super Bowl title: confidence and physicality.

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Philadelphia heads to Lambeau Field riding its best two-game stretch of the season. The Eagles have rediscovered their offensive rhythm, scoring a combined 72 points over the past two weeks, reminding the NFL that they can still hit the gas and put up points in a hurry, when it matters.

Jalen Hurts looks more comfortable in Kevin Patullo’s offense and has started to build a rhythm, taking advantage of what defenses are giving him with decisive decision-making. The defense has returned to its opportunistic identity and begun to turn pressures into sacks. 

When: Mon, Nov. 10, 8:15 p.m. EST
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
How: ABC/ESPN

The newcomers

The Eagles made three additions via trade prior to the trade deadline and brought in a fourth with the return of Brandon Graham from retirement. The common theme with the trade additions will sound redundant — with 'if healthy' being added to start every sentence. 

Two years ago, Michael Carter II was a very good player who had thrived in the slot. He brings depth first and foremost, and if something happens on the outside, it could allow the Eagles the flexibility to put Cooper DeJean if needed. Staying healthy has been a challenge, but the talent is there. 

Cornerback Jaire Alexander, a former team captain, has also dealt with injuries and left Green Bay for a fresh start to play with the Ravens, but the defensive scheme was a bad fit in Baltimore and barely saw the field. He will look to stay healthy and hopes to play outside corner opposite Quinyon Mitchell as the season progresses. 

Pass rusher Jaelen Phillips, a former mid-first round pick, can jump in the fire immediately as he is familiar with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme. He thrived in a short amount of time playing with Vic in Miami in 2023, but suffered back-to-back season injuries to his Achilles and ACL. Jaelen has been improving week by week, which coincides with his overall improvement in health. If he proves to be as successful in Philadelphia with Fangio as he was in Miami, the Eagles will look to extend him.

If they lose Phillips at season’s end to free agency, they will likely receive a 4th-round compensatory pick in 2027. Essentially making a one-round pick swap to address a position of weakness and add some depth to the edge is another low-risk move by Howie Roseman to improve the team. Phillips has played 73% of the defensive snaps for Miami, per @PFF, and has recorded ten pressures in his past two games, per @FDuffyNFL. Jaelen also owns an 18.7% pressure rate this year, which is the 8th-highest among players with 100+ pass rush snaps. 

Offense

Jalen Hurts is back in rhythm, and his efficiency has been the difference. Over the past two games, Hurts has thrown seven touchdowns and had the first perfect passer rating of the NFL season in Minnesota. He will look to continue playing smart, turnover-free football. 

Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigbsy, and the Eagles running game are coming off their best performance of the season. Both rushers topped 100 yards versus the Giants and will be looking to do the same against a Packer defense that has only allowed an average of over 89 yards per game. They have been vulnerable to rushes over center, which Philadelphia will try to exploit. 

A.J. Brown should be back, and DeVonta Smith remains the perfect complement. If the offense continues to add play calls under center, it should aid Brown. A more believable play-action will allow for timing routes and utilize digs/in routes, crossers, and verticals.

Dallas Goedert is having his best start to a season, with seven touchdowns, a career high. He should be able to find the soft coverage in the middle of the field and continue his dominant year. 

Defense

Fangio’s defense continues to tighten up as the season unfolds. The pressure has returned, with the team totaling five sacks against the Giants the last time they were on the field, and they have more weapons coming.

Pass rusher Nolan Smith has his practice window opened, and the team will be looking forward to having him back and paired with Jaelen Phillips. The edge rushers versus the Giants were Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, and Patrick Johnson, and they even had Jihaad Campbell take snaps there as well. The Eagles will likely head into Lambeau with Nolan Smith, Jaelen Phillips, and Brandon Graham added to the pass rush assault, quite a difference. 

The key for the defense will be to stop running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs might be the best RB the Eagles have seen thus far. Josh will test Philadelphia’s edge rushers and linebackers; they will need to eliminate big plays with secure tackling, thereby not allowing many yards after contact. 

Packers QB Jordan Love possesses the athleticism and arm talent to make him a dangerous player when plays break down. The Packers also use motion a lot to identify what the defense is doing, something Fangio disguises as well as anyone in the league. The Eagles’ secondary, anchored by Quinyon Mitchell, will need to stay disciplined in their assignments to combat both. 

The loss of their TE Tucker Kraft is a huge disappointment, and they will look to Luke Musgrave to stretch the field and try to exploit the middle of the Eagles' defense. The Packers’ rookie first-round wideout, Matthew Golden, is questionable. I would expect to see Green Bay find ways to get Savion Williams the ball to counter both losses. 

Conclusion

The Eagles are trending upward. They are coming off their bye week and are starting to exhibit the same qualities that carried them to their second Super Bowl title: confidence and physicality. Lambeau is never an easy place to win, but if the offensive line continues to improve and the defense forces Green Bay to earn every yard by eliminating deep conversions and creating turnovers, Philadelphia should be able to control the tempo. The forecast currently calls for a chance of snow, which could significantly alter the game's flow; either way, the Birds should prevail. 

Prediction: Eagles 30, Packers 20

Player of the Game: Saquon Barkley. He will make it his third 100+ yard game in a row versus the Packers since wearing an Eagles uniform. 

As always, thank you for reading!

Follow me on X @DavidNeiszPHL

Eagles, Packers, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love