After a long and exciting offseason, Eagles football is finally here. In just two days they will be taking on the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil Friday night. There will be numerous storylines to follow and while you’re taking in the first regular season game in 2024, here are five matchups to watch as these two teams battle.
Kellen Moore vs. Jeff Hafley
We will get to the actual players on the field, but this might be the most intriguing coaching matchup in this game. Two coordinators in their first year with their new teams. New Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s track record has been well documented. After the collapse in the second-half of last season and the predictable offense the Eagles rolled out during that stretch, it was evident this side of the ball needed a shakeup. Enter Moore.
Moore spent last season as the offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers after spending four seasons with the Cowboys in the same position. He was brought in to bring this impressive offense up another level with the addition of Barkley at running back. Moore, who has essentially full control of the offense, will hope that the unit will be up to speed with his new scheme.
The former quarterback’s offense will be going up against a suitable, yet unknown test. A Green Bay defense also learning a new scheme as the Packers hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator who will look to transform a Packers’ defense that was porous at times throughout the season last year. Hafley and the Packers will turn to a new-look 4-3 defense while adding star safety Xavier McKinney and using six draft picks to help supplement the defense.
The advantage seemingly belongs to the Eagles with Moore having much more experience coaching at the NFL level but expect some potential bumpy drives at times for the Eagles.
Jalen Hurts vs. Green Bay’s Secondary
Jalen Hurts went from being in the MVP conversation in the first half of the season to falling out of that conversation and having some question if his regression was concerning. It seems like there were multiple factors that caused Hurts to have a less than stellar end to the 2023 season, including throwing an interception in each of the final four games of the season, the first time in his NFL career.
Hurts has a blank slate to write on here in 2024 and from all of the reports at training camp, it sounds like QB1 is poised for a huge bounce back year. He will look to start off strong against a team he dominated back in 2022 in a 40-33 win. Hurts did most of his damage with his legs, running for 157 yards, but did throw for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
The Green Bay secondary, which was supposed to be a strength for the Packers but faltered, will be highlighted by McKinney who inked a 4-year, $68 million contract after putting in his best season in the NFL with the Giants. The safety will look to shore up the back end of a passing defense that was outside of the Top-10 in passing yards per game, allowing 218.3 yards per game and gave up big plays throughout the season, allowing teams to score 21.4 points per game, also 13th in the league a season ago.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander will look to have a bounce back after having a myriad of problems last year with injuries and suspension but remains one of the highest paid corners in the league and certainly someone Hurts will need to be aware of. Rounding out the starting secondary for Green Bay is Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Stokes at cornerback, joining McKinney is rookie strong safety Javon Bullard, and nickelback Keisean Nixon.
A secondary group that shouldn’t scare Hurts or the Eagles offense, expect them to be able to move the ball with efficiency when they are in rhythm.
Eagles’ Secondary vs. Packers’ Wide Receivers
This might be one of the deepest wide receiver rooms the Eagles will face this season. Christan Watson could be a star in the making if he can stay on the field, Jayden Reed surged in the second half of his rookie season and Romeo Doubs was one of the most targeted wideouts in the red zone a year ago. This cornerback room has the seasoned veteran in Slay, but Ringo, Mitchell and DeJean are still wet behind the ears in terms of experience in the NFL. They will have their hands full with this trio who are speedy and just as hungry to prove they belong. If they allow the wideouts to get open and allow this Packers offense to get into a groove, it could be a long night.
New Linebackers vs. Josh Jacobs
Another position group that will be looked at closely for Philadelphia is at linebacker, especially now that Devin White will be absent from the game due to an ankle problem.
It’s a new unit essentially aside from Josh Sweat who will slot in at the SAM backer position in Fangio’s defense. But joining him are newcomers all joining the team via free agency in Devin White (injured), Zack Baun and Bryce Huff. White is the most notable name, but Huff was paid swimmingly to replace Haason Reddick as a pass rushing linebacker, signing a 3-year, $51 million deal in the offseason after being with the Jets.
Linebackers historically have not been a focal point for the Eagles for nearly two decades, but with this new cast, perhaps they will get some production and help a front-four that will try to clog the holes against Green Bay’s newly added running back Josh Jacobs. The former Raider is coming off a down year after leading the NFL in rushing yards in 2022, racking up 1,653 yards. At 26, he certainly has plenty left in the tank after missing half of last season due to injury and rushed for 805 yards with six touchdowns. The Eagles will need to keep him at bay if they want to have a good chance at winning this game.
Jalen Carter vs. Jordan Morgan and Zach Tom
Carter was on the path to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award before falling off as the season progressed. Now in his second year, Carter hopefully will be better suited to perform at the high level he showed flashes of more consistently in year two. He will go up against the right side of the offensive line for the Packers which as it stands, would be starting rookie right guard in Morgan (25th overall pick in this year’s draft) and Tom, who is in his third season after being a 4th round selection in 2022. Carter will need to disrupt that side of the line and put pressure on Love, which can certainly help the backside of the defense in covering the speedy wideouts the Packers have at their disposal.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
