Eagles vs. Packers predictions for NFL playoff wild card round originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The No. 2 seed Eagles (14-3) will host the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers (11-6) in the NFC wild card round at the Linc on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Let’s move on to the predictions:
Ruben Frank (10-7)
There are things to worry about, of course. The Eagles’ passing pressure hasn’t been what you want late in the season. The Packers’ ground attack is among the best in the NFL. Jalen Hurts hasn’t played in three weeks, and the Eagles’ only two impact receivers both have injuries serious enough to keep them from practicing at some point during the week. And the Eagles are 1-6 in their last six wild-card round games and haven’t won one at home since 2006. So that’s all that. There’s also this: I think the Eagles are the better team. They’ve already beaten the Packers once and they’re much better, especially defensively, than they were in the season opener in São Paulo. I’m expecting around 170 from Saquon Barkley, a few TD passes from Hurts, some stellar red zone defense from Zack Baun and Company, and ultimately a 30-22 win and the Eagles’ 11th trip to the semis. conference final since 2000.
Eagles 30, Packers 22
Dave Zangaro (10-7)
When it comes to the seventh seed, the Packers are a tough draw. They’re a really balanced team with good offense and defense and we saw them go on the road and win in the wild card round last year before narrowly falling short against the 49ers in the wild card round. of division. So this probably isn’t the team the Eagles wanted to see in the first round and it will likely be a close game on Sunday. But the Eagles are better. Their 14-win season was certainly no fluke this year. They’ve beaten good teams, won 10 straight, and established strong identities on both sides of the football that should play well in the playoffs.
On offense, the Eagles will have Jalen Hurts back from a concussion after missing a few games. There is obviously a fear of rust with QB1 but the last time we saw him in a complete game, against the Packers, he produced one of his best performances of the season. AJ Brown (knee) probably won’t be 100%, but he should play. That means the Eagles will have Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert all together, which has been rare this season. They also still have a 2,000 yard rusher and the best offensive line in football. The Eagles offense is loaded with talent. As long as they don’t turn the ball over — and that’s key against an opportunistic defense like the Packers, which includes stud safety Xavier McKinney — they’ll be able to score points.
On defense, the Eagles have been so solid since the bye week. They have all my confidence for this match. The only fear is that they fail to put enough pressure on Jordan Love, who is rarely sacked. But even if they don’t, the Eagles secondary has been fantastic all year. I expect rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to be up to the challenge in their playoff debuts. And without WR Christian Watson, the Packers are without their deep threat. A key element will be slowing down Josh Jacobs. If the Eagles can do this, they will be able to keep the Packers out of the end zone.
Eagles 24, Packers 17
Barrett Brooks (13-4)
I love the playoffs. The level of competition improves and the energy also increases. The Packers are actually a better team than I thought the Birds would face as a #2 seed. Both quarterbacks have health issues heading into this game, but they will start the game. Jalen Hurts has cleared the concussion protocol and I’m sure quarterback Jordan Love’s elbow will be good enough to play.
The Packers running game is very good. The Eagles defensive line needs to tighten up in the middle. Josh Jacob is a tough runner, especially between the tackles. If the DL can keep LBs clean from blockers, that should stop the running play. Make the Packers offense one-dimensional. Force Love to throw the ball.
The Eagles offense needs to play balanced in this game. An almost equal run/pass ratio. Y’all know I’m a running guy, but the Packers secondary looks too good to pass up. They are very young and inexperienced. But let’s not go overboard and run the ball consistently. Running the ball is their identity. It’s through tough, physical play that the Eagles will win in the playoffs. They need to stick to what got them there.
Eagles 31, Packers 21
Mike Mulhern (12-5)
In the expanded playoff field, only one 7th seed has ever won a game. It was the Packers a season ago when they beat the Cowboys. On paper, Green Bay is even better this year. This is an 11-win team that has faced the Lions, Vikings and Eagles in five of their six losses this season. They also resolved many of their early season issues. Jordan Love went from 11 interceptions in his first 8 games to zero throws in his last 7. The defense made major strides under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, finishing 6th in yards and points allowed. They are a formidable opponent and it will not be an easy game.
The key when the Packers have the ball is how well they can run it. They’re not going to gash the Eagles, but can they stay ahead of the sticks and avoid 3rd and long situations? Josh Jacobs is one of the toughest backs to break down, but the Eagles have been one of the best tackling teams in the league. Jayden Reed had 171 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, but a lot of that damage came against Avonte Maddox. Cooper DeJean should keep Reed in check. And with Christian Watson out, they don’t have a true deep threat. Add in Vic Fangio’s ability to come up with creative game plans and I think this will be a very difficult task for the Packers offense. Love likes to force passes into tight windows, which will result in a few interceptions for the Eagles.
With Jalen Hurts returning and AJ Brown saying he will play, the Birds will be at full strength on offense. I can’t exceed the firepower they have. Add to that an offensive line that features three guys who made the Pro Bowl: Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and another who made the 2nd team All-Pro in Jordan Mailata (note: Lane Johnson made the two). I think they ride a new Saquon Barkley and ride him to the divisional round.
Eagles 23, Packers 20
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