Packers fall to Eagles in defensive bout

For those who’re a fan of offense, Monday night time in Inexperienced Bay was ugly. If protection is your factor, it was a factor of magnificence.

Two of the highest groups within the NFC convention slugged it out on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Subject, with the Philadelphia Eagles popping out on high over the Inexperienced Bay Packers, 10-7.

Each win within the tightly-contested NFC is critical: Based on ESPN Analytics, the Eagles’ possibilities of capturing the No. 1 seed jumped to 33% with the win; a loss would have dropped all the best way to 12% with a loss.

The protection stored the percentages within the defending champs’ favor. The Eagles’ revamped cross rush made Jordan Love uncomfortable all night time, serving to to carry the Packers scoreless by way of three quarters for simply the third time below head coach Matt LaFleur.

Philly’s offense confirmed a bit life late by the best way of a 36-yard landing cross from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith, and that was sufficient to push the Eagles to 7-2 as they prepared for an additional heavyweight bout in opposition to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

Turning level: Nursing a 3-0 lead within the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts discovered Saquon Barkley on a swing cross on 3rd-and-7, which Barkley became a 41-yard achieve down the left sideline. On the following play, Hurts discovered Smith ultimately zone for the 36-yard rating.

Most stunning efficiency: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gave edge rusher Jaelan Phillips a serious position in his first recreation as an Eagle, and Phillips delivered big-time. Acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a third-round choose in entrance of final week’s commerce deadline, Phillips received the beginning and erupted for seven QB pressures, two QB hits and 6 tackles. He pressured a Josh Jacobs fumble on 4th-and-1 with 1:30 remaining to seal the win for Philly. The Eagles have one thing cooking alongside the defensive entrance with the Phillips addition and Nolan Smith’s return from a triceps harm.

Largest gap within the recreation plan: Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo performed it conservative for essentially the most half, particularly on third down. There have been a number of events the place Philadelphia opted to run it on third-and-long. The Eagles are as much as 29 3-and-out drives leading to a punt this season, the second-most within the NFL behind Broncos (34). — Tim McManus

Subsequent recreation: vs. Detroit Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

Inexperienced Bay Packers (5-3-1)

This recreation will not be on any offensive educating tape. In truth, the Inexperienced Bay Packers would possibly need to burn it.

In one of many worst offensive performances of coach Matt LaFleur’s seven seasons in Inexperienced Bay, his staff did not rating till there was 5:49 left within the fourth quarter.

The Packers have by no means been shut out below LaFleur, and it was solely the third time they had been held scoreless by way of three quarters below the coach’s tenure. A kind of was Jordan Love’s first profession beginning, filling in for Aaron Rodgers in opposition to the Chiefs in 2021. The opposite got here in 2023 in opposition to the Saints, and the Packers got here again to win.

Within the Saints recreation, they rallied for a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17. Monday’s deficit wasn’t almost as giant. They trailed 10-0 till working again Josh Jacobs lastly received the Packers on the board, capping their first scoring drive with a 6-yard landing run.

This after the Packers managed simply 13 factors within the earlier week’s upset loss at house to the Panthers.

The loss was particularly damaging within the standings with the Packers (5-3-1) falling from first to 3rd place within the NFC North.

Stat to know: The Packers receivers had one dropped cross all season getting into Monday night time, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. That they had two on consecutive performs within the third quarter versus the Eagles. First, Romeo Doubs could not convey within the ball on a third-and-9 play over the center after which on the following play, with the Packers going for it on fourth down from Eagles’ 41-yard line, Bo Melton had a ball bounce off his chest.

Then on the Packers’ ultimate drive, Dontayvion Wicks dropped one other one, giving them three on the night time. Together with all gamers, the Packers got here into Monday’s recreation with 5 complete drops, 4 by non-receivers.

Largest gap within the recreation plan: The Packers could not discover a strategy to replicate what they misplaced final week when budding star tight finish Tucker Kraft was misplaced for the season to a torn ACL. In truth, for many of the recreation, coach Matt LaFleur went with a run-heavy name sheet, limiting Jordan Love’s passing alternatives. It appeared extra like the sport plans he used when Love missed two video games final season with a knee harm, and LaFleur restricted backup Malik Willis’ throwing alternatives.

Development to observe: For the second straight recreation, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit gave the staff an opportunity to win. Per week after the 16-13 loss to the Panthers, they held the Eagles in test for many of the recreation. The Packers gave up their first factors of the sport on a subject purpose midway by way of the third quarter and did not enable a landing till early within the fourth. — Rob Demovsky

Subsequent recreation: at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox)