What to Watch for in the Packers vs. Eagles Wild Card Matchup
The Green Bay Packers are about to face the Philadelphia Eagles in their first big challenge on the road to the Lombardi Trophy. The path to the Super Bowl is never easy, and this matchup is a tough way to kick things off. It’s a rematch with the Eagles, the team they saw earlier in the regular season, but now with much higher stakes. This game gives the Packers the perfect opportunity to prove they can beat the league’s top teams.
Who Will Step Up?
One of the key issues in the loss to the Vikings was the lack of separation in man coverage, and with Christian Watson out for the season due to an ACL injury sustained against the Bears, the Packers receiving corps faces a tough challenge. Watson’s absence is unfortunately all too familiar, but that doesn’t make it any less painful. His ability to make deep plays, stretch the field, and draw defenders away from others was invaluable. Losing him takes away not just his explosive playmaking but also the opportunities his presence created for teammates. His absence is a major blow, and now, it’s up to others to rise to the occasion.
With Watson out, Romeo Doubs will need to take on a bigger responsibility and be a reliable target for Jordan Love. Jayden Reed has had his share of ups and downs this season, but his raw athleticism and ability to make big plays will be key moving forward. Malik Heath made a big boy catch against the Bears, showing his potential to come through in clutch moments. Fantasy football fans might have unwarranted faith that Dontayvion Wicks is going to have a breakout game, but let’s hope the Packers see that potential this Sunday. Bo Melton has had a quiet season as far as receiving duties go, but he might step up when it matters most. Tight end Tucker Kraft could also be leaned on more as a pass-catcher, adding another threat to the offense. With Watson gone, the Packers will need a collective effort from several players to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
How the Run Defense Handles Saquon Barkley
The Packers' run defense has definitely gotten better in recent years, but honestly, that's not saying a whole lot considering how bad it used to be. When you're up against a player like Saquon Barkley, though, even the top defenses are going to have a tough time. He's just that talented. The goal for Green Bay should be to slow him down as much as they can. He's going to pick up some yards, but they need to make him earn every one of them, not letting him run all over us, Raheem Mostert style.
Pass Rush’s Existence
The pass rush often seems to show up unpredictably, like nacho fries on the Taco Bell menu. While Green Bay has had some strong moments pressuring the quarterback, sacks have been a rarity against top-tier teams. Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare need to stay in the quarterback’s face, constantly disrupting the offense’s rhythm, whether it’s Jalen Hurts or one of his backups. They can’t afford to give him a single moment of peace.
Green Bay is definitely a different team now compared to the start of the season, but Philadelphia has also made some key adjustments along the way. Throughout the regular season, the Packers struggled to beat teams with a better record than them. Now, they have a chance to face off against some of the league’s top players. This game is do-or-die, as a loss means the end of their season. Tune in to FOX on Sunday, January 12th, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. EST to catch all the action. Will the Packers shock everyone yet again, or face an early exit?
