Eagles football is back from Brazil! The Eagles and Packers officially kicked off their 2024 seasons in the historic first-ever NFL game played in South America on Friday night. In what was a back-and-forth battle for all 4 quarters, the Eagles pulled out the victory 34-29 to move to 1-0 on the new season.
The way the Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2023 NFL season, it was almost as if they needed a getaway, tapped out of both energy and enthusiasm. The way the Green Bay Packers finished, it was almost as if they were too big for the American stage, primed for an even grander spotlight.
Now, as the 2024 NFL campaign gets underway, both the Eagles and Packers are getting what they need. And they're getting together, opening the new season in none other than São Paulo, Brazil. Squaring off in a potential NFC playoffs preview, the two sides aren't simply treading new water with the league's first South American showdown, but with a fresh chance at climbing to the NFL mountaintop.
One side has a recent MVP candidate in Jalen Hurts. The other has a current MVP pick in Jordan Love. And both have dreams of fighting for the NFC crown, the Eagles two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance and the Packers fresh off a surprise push to reach last year's conference title game.
How can you tune in when they clash on the global stage? Which players could be X-factors? And who's gonna win? Here's our preview and prediction:
The Eagles and Packers have met just five times in the last 10 years, with Green Bay owning a 3-2 edge during that time. Their last game occurred in 2022, when the Eagles won a 40-33 matchup in which Jalen Hurts set a team record for rushing yards and Jordan Love briefly replaced an injured Aaron Rodgers.
The neutral site isn't nothing, considering both Philly and Green Bay tend to enjoy a rowdy home-field advantage. The impact of long travel to Brazil is another unpredictable variable. On the field, however, this might be an even tougher projection. Love and Hurts have both flashed MVP-level stuff; the former has the more dynamic play designer in head coach Matt LaFleur, while Hurts has some of the game's best playmakers around him. Both defenses, meanwhile, are transitioning under new leaders.
All in all, the Eagles probably have the edge in personnel, and it's very possible they'll revive title hopes right out of the gate. Hurts, for one, seems especially determined to restore his trajectory. But coaching is the X-factor for them, and LaFleur has been the steadier hand on the other side. With another full offseason to craft Love and his young receivers, the bet here is that his group will be a bit too shifty and speedy for a Philly defense rounding into form. Call it a shootout, and give the slight edge to the Pack.
Projected score: Packers 27, Eagles 26
We're a little over an hour from kicking off the Eagles 2024 regular season, and Philadelphia announced seven players that'll be inactive on Friday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Isaiah Rodgers and Devin White were already ruled out, and the former Buccaneers didn't make the trip. Rodgers was a late scratch on Thursday. Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee is inactive, meaning Kenny Pickett will be the backup to quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The matchup will feature two of the NFL's top young quarterbacks, running backs, and talented pass catchers on both teams. On defense, the Packers are stacked with pass rushers and one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, Jaire Alexander. The Eagles will counter with Bryce Huff off the edge, Darius Slay at cornerback, and a young fleet of cover guys.
With pregame warmups underway, we're looking at five matchups to watch when the Eagles have the football.
Eagles vs. Packers: 5 Matchups to Watch on Offense
A.J. Brown vs. Jaire Alexander
Brown feasts on 1-on-1 coverage, and he'll likely draw Packers star Jaire Alexander. On the possessions that the Jaire Alexander is preoccupied with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith or Jahan Dotson has to win their one on one matchups with former Eagles cornerback, Eric Stokes.
Stokes is healthy for the first time in over a year after battling multiple hamstring injuries that stemmed from a foot injury that required surgery.
Jalen Hurts vs. Green Bay's Blitz
According to Next Gen Stats, Jalen Hurts was under pressure in less than 2.5 seconds 13 times in the wild card loss to the Buccaneers. Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator, and his aggression will be on full display. Kellen Moore has to give Hurts the keys to beat the blitz.
Saquon Barkley vs. Quay Walker & Javon Bullard
Barkley will be a factor in the running and passing games, and these two athletic linebackers will be most responsible for slowing down the Eagles star.
Dallas Goedert vs. Green Bay's Linebackers
No linebacker is staying with Goedert, which means either McKinney or Javon Bullard will be tasked with slowing down Philadelphia's dynamic tight end.
The Global Stage
The game will stream exclusively on Peacock, making it a must-have for any fan looking to catch this historic matchup. The platform offers a variety of options to suit different budgets, including a free tier with limited content, a $8-per-month Premium plan, and a $14-per-month Premium Plus plan that includes access to all live and on-demand content.
With the Eagles and Packers set to face off on the global stage, the excitement for this matchup is palpable. Fans will be tuning in to watch this high-stakes battle, eager to see who will claim victory in the first-ever NFL game played in Brazil. This isn't just about two teams vying for a win, it's about marking a new chapter in the history of the sport, bringing the thrill of NFL football to a whole new continent.
