The Green Bay Packers can secure a rematch with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field next week if Matt LaFleur’s team can go into Philadelphia and upset the NFC East champion Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round.
The seventh-seeded Packers will face one of the NFL’s most talented and most balanced teams in the Eagles, who finished 14-3 and won 12 of their last 13 games in 2024.
Here are five stats to know ahead of Sunday’s playoff showdown in Philadelphia:
Seven: After turning the ball over eight times in their first four games, including three times in the season opener against the Packers, the Eagles turned the ball over just seven times over the final 13 games, including nine games without a turnover. Jalen Hurts threw two picks against the Packers but finished with only five overall. Can the Packers, who finished with 31 takeaways in 2024, generate a game-changing turnover or two on Sunday? While Hurts only had five interceptions, he did finish with 16 turnover worthy plays, per PFF, and he lost five fumbles. It’s possible he’ll be dealing with some rust after not playing a full game since mid-December.
21.5 percent: The Eagles offensive line is an excellent group, but Jalen Hurts still took 38 sacks and had a pressure-to-sack ratio of 21.5 percent, which ranked 17th among quarterbacks despite his toughness as a runner. Hurts also led the NFL in average time to throw at 3.21 seconds. The Packers will likely rush to contain Hurts in the pocket and prevent scrambling opportunities. Can the defensive front win enough 1-on-1 reps (especially inside) and finish disruptive plays in the backfield? Hurts had a below average PFF grade against pressure in 2024. Pressure in big passing situations will be vital.
Seven: Another seven. Speaking of pressure, this seven is for the number of defensive players that produced at least 20 pressures for the Eagles this season, including two over 50 (Josh Sweat, Jalen Carter) and five over 30 (Milton Williams, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo). The Eagles are also getting Bryce Huff going as a rotational rusher, and both Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean can disrupt as blitzers. The Packers offensive line has a big test ahead. The Eagles are talented and deep enough up front to consistently rush with four and win. In the first meeting, Jordan Love was under pressure on 12 of 36 dropbacks.
2.0 vs. 0.6: Per Next Gen Stats, the Eagles averaged an NFL-best 2.0 yards before first contact on designed runs this season. The Packers, however, gave up only 0.6 yards before first contact against runs, the third best mark in the NFL. Containing Saquon Barkley presents a major test for the Packers, but they’ve been up to the challenge against the run this season. Can the Packers get into the backfield or create stalemates along the line of scrimmage against Barkley? Keeping the Eagles’ 2,000-yard rusher from taking over the game is a priority for the Packers.
95.2 percent vs. 77.8 percent: The Packers might actually have a big advantage at kicker in the rematch. Brayden Narveson missed a big field goal in the opener, but he’s since been replaced by Brandon McManus, who has connected on 20 of 21 kicks (95.2 percent) since joining the Packers, including a perfect mark on kicks over 50 yards (3-for-3). Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, however, finished his season at just 77.8 percent after missing eight total kicks, including six over 50 yards and one under 40. In a game with some razor thin margins, just one kick (or miss) can make a huge difference.
