Coming into Thursday night’s game, the Eagles needed a win, and they delivered. The Packers had not lost and seemed unstoppable. However, despite shaky play from the secondary, the Eagles’ defense showed up at the goal line when they needed to the most.
A Review
1st Quarter:
The Eagles have had significant struggles in the first quarter since the start of 2018, and Thursday was no different. Following a quick punt by Philly, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams began carving up the Eagles secondary in a drive that ended with an Aaron Jones three-yard touchdown run.
2nd Quarter:
An eight-minute, 15 play drive was capped off by a Mason Crosby 30-yard field goal. Holding the Packers’ drive to three points was a small win for Philly, but not much else is going right. When not much is working, sometimes you need to get momentum elsewhere. The Eagles got the spark they needed from a Miles Sanders 67-yard kick return, putting them at the Packers’ 34. Five plays later, the Eagles got on the board with a six-yard pass from Carson Wentz to Alshon Jeffery.
Packers 10, Eagles 7.
After another Mason Crosby field goal made it 13-7, the Eagles drove down and capitalized on a three-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to Dallas Goedert.
Eagles 14, Packers 13.
Still, the Eagles’ defense was looking feeble. But then they got the turnover they needed on a strip-sack from Derek Barnett. Jordan Howard punched it in four plays later.
Eagles 21, Packers 13.
Right before halftime, Aaron Rodgers made two consecutive incredible passes to Geronimo Allison, including one for a score.
At the half: Eagles 21, Packers 20.
3rd Quarter:
After forcing a punt to start the half, the Eagles drove the ball 76 yards down the field for another touchdown score. After being in the same scenario and succeeding in week 1, Doug Pederson had his offense attempt a two-point conversion to make it a two-possession game. No good.
Eagles 27, Packers 20.
Two possessions later, Aaron Rodgers capped off an eight-play, 72-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham.
Packers 27, Eagles 27.
4th Quarter:
At the start of the fourth quarter, Howard pushed it in from two yards out for his third score of the night.
Eagles 34, Packers 27.
The Packers were in need of a scoring drive, but with 10:52 left to play, Davante Adams went out with a toe injury. After a goal-line pass interference call put the Packers at the Eagles’ one-yard line, Matt Lafleur opted not to run it and instead put the ball in the hands of his QB. Four incomplete passes later, the Eagles got the ball back in an excellent position to chew out the clock and ice the game with a score. Philly drove it down the field but ultimately had to punt with 5:08 left to play.
With 1:15 to play, Aaron Rodgers completed an 11-yard pass to Robert Tonyan, putting Green Bay at the Eagles’ seven-yard line. On the play, cornerback Avonte Maddox, who struggled all night, took a friendly fire hit to the head from teammate Andrew Sendejo. He had to be stretchered off the field, and with fellow corner Sidney Jones already out and Ronald Darby inactive, the Eagles were left with just two cornerbacks.
Enter Craig James, a man who had been on the practice squad less than 72 hours before kickoff. On second and goal from the two, Rodgers threw a pass intended for Marquez Valdez-Scantling that was deflected by James into the hands of Nigel Bradham.
Craig James is your unlikely hero.
Final Score: Eagles 34, Packers 27
Injuries
Packers:
Jamaal Williams: In a scary moment for the Packers, Jamaal Williams had to be stretchered off the field after taking a late hit from Derek Barnett in the first quarter. Matt Lafleur said Williams was doing well after the game, but head/neck injuries are always scary. This changed the game-plan for Green Bay, leaving Aaron Jones as their only active running back.
Bryan Bulaga: After being questionable to play coming in, Bulaga was ruled out in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Alex Light replaced him and struggled, allowing that key strip-sack by Derek Barnett.
Davante Adams: Adams grabbed for his toe after making a catch in the fourth quarter. After being examined by the medical team, he was ruled out for the rest of the game. This was a massive loss for the Packers, as they could not convert at the goal-line in two different possessions. While nothing is for sure, the Packers likely would have punched in a late score with Adams on the field.
Eagles:
Sidney Jones: After being promoted to starter with Ronald Darby out, Jones struggled to keep up with Davante Adams on the first drive before he was ruled out with a hamstring issue. Jones has the potential to be very good, but he’s been extremely injury-prone through his first three seasons.
Avonte Maddox: It’s tough having to watch anyone need to be stretchered off with head/neck injuries, so seeing it twice in one game really sucks for the game of football. Fortunately, several teammates said Maddox was making jokes and laughing on the field while being taken off, which eased their concern and kept them focused on closing out the competitive game.
Looking Ahead
The Eagles return to Philly to take on the 0-3 New York Jets, who will be fresh off a bye, in Week 5. Meanwhile, Green Bay will be on the road to face red-hot Dallas in week 5.
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Watch out for the giants!