Philadelphia Eagles (2) – Green Bay Packers (7): 22-10
Number 2 didn't tremble! Thanks to a touchdown from Dallas Goedert in the 3rd quarter, the Eagles defeated the clingy Packers (19-10). Without shining in attack, Philadelphia was still able to count on its diligent and opportunistic defense (3 interceptions). The Vic Fangio transplant is definitely a success.
The Packers fought and limited the damage despite several injuries during the game. But Jordan Love's bad game (20/33, 212 yards, 3 INT) and Matt LaFleur's inability to find the solution in attack cost the victory.
The key moment: Dallas Goedert makes the difference
If Heath's off-field reception on the 4th attempt 5 minutes from time kills Green Bay's hopes, the real turning point of the match comes in the 3rd quarter.
Dallas Goedert (4rec, 47 ayrds, 1TD), on a personal effort, transformed a 3-yard reception for the Eagles into a 24-yard gain and went for a touchdown at the end of the quarter. With this touchdown, the locals then lead 17 to 3. A gap of two possessions which then seems insurmountable for this Packers attack (diminished) against a very good Philadelphia defense.
A touchdown all the more saving for the Eagles who had not scored since the first quarter and who had just seen the Packers score their first points of the match. The perfect time to calm them down.
DALLAS GOEDERT ANGRY RUN 😡
📺: #GBvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rxRDVME91z— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
The MVP: Nolan Smith
If Dallas Goedert was the most decisive in the victory with his touchdown, the best player of the match is in the Eagles defense.
Nolan Smith put out a very good performance with 8 tackles (4 solo), 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and 5 pressures in total. Omnipresent on the defensive line, Smith made Zach Tom's life hell on the Green Bay offensive line.
The 2nd year player is a long way from his complicated start to his career. Thanks Vic Fangio?
The flop: Jordan Love
Obviously, Jordan Love is the flop of the evening. Although not helped by the injuries to his receivers and not always his line, the quarterback did not carry his team as we would have liked.
With 3 interceptions thrown and imprecise throws, Love never found the rhythm or the solution to overcome the Eagles defense. There is still work for the young pitcher.
The stat: 4
This is the number of balls lost by the Packers tonight. Against an experienced team like Philadelphia it couldn't happen.
The match film
Catastrophic start to the match for Green Bay who (unfairly) lost the ball at the start of the match. Behind, the Eagles do not need to be asked and punish their opponents from the start. Jalen Hurts (13/21, 131, 2TD) has 7 seconds to throw the ball and find Jahan Dotson for the touchdown (7-0). After several punts, it was again the Eagles attack which scored points. If Hurts stalls in the redzone, under the Packers' blitzes, Jake Elliott adds at least 3 points (10-0).
Green Bay insists on its missed quarter-time starts. To open the second, Jordan Love plays the depth and the 1vs1 between Jayden Reed and Darius Slay. But the pass is under-measured and poorly placed, the cornerback then seizes it for the interception. The visitors continued their black streak when they missed a 38-yard field goal after 7.37 minutes of possession and 13 actions; then seeing Jordan Love being intercepted by Zach Baun with a minute left in the half. But Philadelphia and its listless attack (125 yards at the break) do not benefit. Philadelphia can blame itself for only leading 10-0 at the break. The Packers can tell themselves that they're not doing too bad so far.
You have to wait until the middle of the 3rd quarter for the match to come alive! After the Packers' first points (10-3), Phili's attack finally wakes up. A deep pass for DeVonta Smith (4 rec, 55 yards) then a superb personal effort from Dallas Goedert gives the Eagles back the lead (16-3, missed extra point). The locals think they have done the hardest part. Except that on the following series, Josh Jacobs (18 races, 81 yards, 1TD) showed his power and his style with a devastating 32-yard run. Platted just in front of the goal, number 8 concludes the following action with the touchdown (16-10). Everything remains to be done at the start of the 4th quarter.
The NFC East champions then say to themselves that running and eating the clock is a good idea. We multiply the races on the Eagles side and the franchise manages to use 7.30 minutes on the clock while adding a field goal (19-10) to be more than one possession away with 7 minutes remaining. Behind Green Bay saw Heath miss a crucial reception in the 4th attempt 5 minutes from time. Philadelphia takes advantage of the resulting advantageous position to add a field goal (22-10), game over.
And now ?
Philadelphia must wait for the results of the two other NFC matches (Buccaneers-Commanders and Rams-Vikings) to see more clearly what happens next. What is certain is that the attack will still have to raise its level of play to go further.
Green Bay ends the season out of breath. Jordan Love seemed to be on the sidelines at the end of the season and was able to worry at times. There also remain some questions around LaFleur and his inability to “turn the tide” of a match. However, the team is young and talented, Green Bay is on the right track.
