The NFL playoffs are set with Wild Card Weekend beginning Saturday, and there going to be some really compelling matchups, one of which is happening in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2024 season with a 14-3 record, tying the most wins in a season in franchise history. It’s the organization’s second NFC East crown in three years and the fourth consecutive playoff appearance since head coach Nick Sirianni took over in 2021.
The Eagles are the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but face a very stiff challenge hosting the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Eagles have the team to compete for a Super Bowl championship, but will the Packers ruin their aspirations?
The Eagles’ first matchup of the 2024-25 playoffs is known. The Packers will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles, their second matchup this season. The two teams faced off in Week 1 in São Paulo, Brazil, with the Eagles coming out on top 34-29.
The last time they faced one another, the Eagles’ offense was firing on all cylinders. Superstar running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in his debut with his new team. Wide receiver A.J. Brown had 119 yards and a touchdown and his counterpart, DeVonta Smith, caught seven passes for 84 yards.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for his third-most yards (278) all season and tossed two touchdowns. Hurts turned the ball over three times as part of his early season turnover problems, but the 26-year-old did a nice job of protecting the football as the season progressed. Hurts left the Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders in the first quarter with a concussion and missed the Eagles’ final two regular season games. He is set to practice today and is on track to return for the playoff matchup with the Packers.
The Packers are hobbling into the playoffs and will be without two key players for Sunday’s Wild Card game against the Eagles. Wide receiver Christian Watson suffered what’s believed to be a significant knee injury in the team’s regular season finale against the Chicago Bears. He’s unlikely to suit up against the Eagles. Top cornerback Jaire Alexander was placed on IR after undergoing surgery for a PCL injury and will be unable to play against Philadelphia. Quarterback Jordan Love is also banged up after leaving the Week 18 contest against the Bears with an elbow injury, but he’s expected to play in the Wild Card round.
It’s hard to imagine this game being any different than the Week 1 matchup, at least on paper, given how the teams stack up. The Eagles have the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and the Packers are banged up on offense. The Eagles’ offense is coming some off much needed rest in Week 18 and should be too much for the Packers’ defense to handle, especially with Alexander out.
The Eagles opened as 3.5-point favorites. They’re now 4.5-point favorites ahead of the Wild Card clash. There might be some rust for Hurts and the Eagles’ offense early as he returns from injury, but it shouldn’t hold them back. The Eagles are clearly the better team and will win this game as long as they don’t beat themselves. It helps that the game will be played in front of a raucous Philadelphia crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.
Score Prediction: Eagles 27 Packers 19
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