Riding the momentum of a thrilling victory in Indianapolis, the Philadelphia Eagles welcome a familiar foe to the Linc in the Packers. Here’s what to watch for in this week 12 NFC showdown.
Offense Getting Back On Schedule
The Philadelphia Eagles head back home in search of answers on offense. For the first time all season, Philadelphia was held to under 20 points, putting up just 17 points against the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts played well and looks to build on another solid performance. Running back Miles Sanders had a subpar game and will look to rebound against a Packers defense that ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.
The receiver and tight end group also look to bounce back in its second week without star Tight End Dallas Goedert. Wide Receivers AJ Brown and Devonta Smith look to have better games than the past few weeks. Thankfully for them, the Green Bay defense has allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns in the league this year. Look for the passing offense to be more effective with the Packers down at both linebacker and cornerback due to injury.
Rounding out the offense is the Eagle’s offensive line. A rock-solid unit upfront has led this Philadelphia team to nine victories with just five sacks allowed on the year. Of those five, Right Guard Landon Dickerson, Center Jason Kelce, and Right Tackle Landon Johnson have given up a combined zero sacks all season. They’ll have to contend with a Packers pass rush consisting of Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, Quay Walker, and others.
Defense Remaining Elite
There’s no question as to whether this Philadelphia Eagles defense is legit or not. Under Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon, this fierce unit ranks first in takeaways (21), yards per play allowed (4.6), and drives ending in turnover (21.7%), respectively. The Eagle’s defense also ranks second in yards per game allowed at just over 300. Key additions in Defensive Tackles Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh further solidify the Eagles’ defensive front looking to slow down Packers Running back Aaron Jones.
Next, this Eagles unit has achieved something unique for the third time in franchise history. They have recorded 30-plus sacks and 20-plus takeaways while allowing less than 20 points per game through the first ten weeks of the season. Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave and Defensive End Haason Reddick are the first Eagles duo with seven-plus sacks each since the 1991 season.
Lastly, An under-the-radar addition to Philadelphia’s coaching staff, former Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator Marcus Brady, should prove pivotal for this defense. While Brady has been assigned to work with Gannon to stop the Eagles’ offense, look for the duo to pinpoint every weakness the Packers’ offense has. Entering week 12, the Packers rank amongst the top third in the league in total yards per game. Interestingly, that same offense ranks toward the bottom third in the NFL in points scored.
Winning The Turnover Battle
Winning the turnover battle can often indicate success in the NFL. Entering week 12, Philadelphia ranks first in the league at +12. They remain the only team throughout the league with a turnover margin of +10 or better. Adversely, the Packers enter week 12 as one of the worst teams in turnover margin at -4. The Packers are ranked 27th in the league in that category.
Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown an interception in the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the Eagles have forced 2.29 turnovers per game in 2022. Philadelphia looks primed and ready for a big game in the turnover category against Green Bay on Sunday.
In Conclusion
As we wrap things up, the Philadelphia Eagles enter this Sunday’s matchup as arguably one of the more complete teams in the NFL. With a Quarterback playing at an MVP-caliber level, a defense that has been among the most consistent league-wide, and a head coach overseeing a staff coaching very well, it’s not a surprise this team has established itself as an elite team in the league.
The Eagles bring their NFL-leading 9-1 record back home to Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday in prime time. They’ll welcome the NFC’s 4-7 Green Bay Packers to town in what looks to be an offensive showdown. The Philadelphia offense will try to rebound coming off a season-low 17 points scored last week against the Indianapolis Colts. On defense, the Eagles will attempt to put out the same effort and intensity they’ve displayed throughout the season. Finally, winning the turnover battle will be crucial to getting another win on their record as the playoffs draw closer. Look for Philadelphia to win with these critical factors attributing to their victory.
