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It’s that time of year. IT’S PLAYOFF TIME. This NFL Wildcard Preview features two of the best defenses in the NFL in the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. This is one of the premier matchups in the NFC Wildcard weekend. These teams are actually very similar in how their team is set up and how they play. Enough foreplay, let’s analyze the game and pick a winner, shall we?
First, the particulars about the game down below:
1: Defense Wins Championships
The Eagles defense is as stout as it comes. They only allow 278.4 yards a game to opposing offenses, 1st in the NFL. they also only allow 17.8 points per game for opposing offenses, once again, 1st in the NFL. Their defense has been the main force for the Eagles success and that doesn’t need to stop now. The Eagles will have some problems containing Josh Jacobs, but if they can and force Jordan Love to throw, they should have a pretty good chance on stopping the Packers.
2: Saquon Barkley Is A Baaaaaaaaaaaaaad Man
Don’t reinvent the wheel guys. If Saquon Barkley is your best player and most of your offense runs through him, give him the ball. Make the Packers stop him, if they can’t then this game is going to go pretty easy for the Eagles. Even if they do stop Saquon Barkley, they are going to have to dedicate a lot of the defense to him to stop him, this will open up the rest of the team if the Packers focus on Barkley. I would say for almost the entire first quarter, Barkley is getting the ball, either in a pass or a run, but he needs the ball in his hands early and often. From there, take what the defense gives you.
3: Jordan Love Is Unproven
Jordan Love played well for 8 games last year and the Packers gave him a 4-year, $220 million deal. Just for playing well for 8 games. Are we even sure Jordan Love is a top 10 QB? Not play like a top 10 QB cause he can at times, but is he consistently a top 10 QB? He has errant throws half the time, but then he can have the most beautiful dots. The Eagles’ defense is nasty and will make Jordan Love feel pressure all game long. It’s only a matter of time before he throws a few INTs.
1: Coaching Matters
Matt LaFleur is a better coach than Nick Sirianni. Let’s just call it as it is. When things don’t go Sirianni’s way, he throws a tantrum and the team overall plays worse cause of it. LaFleur will keep the Packers controlled, have them play hard, and disrupt the Eagles’ strategies. LaFleur will have a plan for the Eagles, and when it doesn’t go Sirianni’s way, can we expect them to stay cool, calm, and collected enough to make adjustments? I’m not so sure.
2: Jalen Hurts Is Limited
Jalen Hurts was in concussion protocol first of all. While he has been cleared, Jalen Hurts is limited as a passer. While he has missed a few games this season, he still hasn’t broken 3,000 passing yards this season. He has only thrown 18 passing TDs, and has been sacked 38 times this year. While Jalen Hurts running ability cannot be underestimated, if the Packers keep Jalen Hurts contained and force him to throw the ball, the Packers have a chance to shut down the Eagles’ offense.
3: Packers Have A Balanced Offense
Even with Christian Watson out, I do think the Packers offense is more balanced than the Eagles. Josh Jacobs will do Josh Jacobs things. While neither Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs are not the stereotypical WR1, it keeps the field open for Green Bay. Jordan Love, on a good day, can hit one of these guys any play, any game, and that WR might have their day. You just have to hope that Jordan Love is having a good day first. It starts with Josh Jacobs being able to establish the run as well.
Verdict: Eagles defeat the Packers 30-24.
In this NFL Wildcard preview, the difference maker in this game is Saquon Barkley. How the Packers counter Barkley will determine how the game will go. I do think the Packers’ balanced offense can cause some trouble for a stingy Eagles defense. I do believe that Matt LaFleur is a better coach than Nick Sirianni. But if Saquon Barkley cannot be stopped, the Eagles’ playbook is wide open and it causes more problems for the Packers. If they can limit Saquon, Jalen Hurts is limited and there’s a chance to win. However, that seems unlikely, give me the Eagles to win this game.
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