Week 4 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) @ Green Bay Packers (3-0)

Week 4 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) @ Green Bay Packers (3-0)

Thursday, September 26 at Lambeau Field, Eagles 4.5-point underdogs 

The Eagles get a short break after their loss to Detroit and will face the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

Injury Report:

OUT

Philadelphia: Ronald Darby (CB, hamstring), DeSean Jackson (WR, abdomen), Timmy Jernigan (DT, foot)

Green Bay: Montravius Adams (DE, shoulder), Oren Burks (LB, chest)

DOUBTFUL

Philadelphia: —

Green Bay: —

QUESTIONABLE:

Philadelphia: Corey Clement (RB, shoulder)

Green Bay: Kyler Fackrell (LB, shoulder), Jake Kumerow (WR, shoulder), Za’Darius Smith (LB, knee)

WILL PLAY:

Philadelphia: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (WR, heel), Andre Dillard (OT, knee), Derek Barnett (DE, ankle), Nate Gerry (LB, calf/knee), Dallas Goedert (TE, calf), Alshon Jeffery (WR, calf), Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB, knee), Nate Sudfeld (QB, wrist)

Green Bay: Bryan Bulaga (OT, shoulder), Kenny Clark (DT, knee), Rashan Gary (LB, calf), Jimmy Graham (TE, groin/quad), Aaron Jones (RB, shoulder), Kevin King (CB, chest/illness), Blake Martinez (LB, shoulder), Will Redmond (S, knee), Darrius Sheperd (WR, hamstring), Jamaal Williams (RB, neck)

Both teams come in with a lengthy injury report, but luckily, most players appear under the “Will Play” section. The Eagles get back one of their top wideouts (Alshon Jeffery) and a young linebacker that was due for a jump in playing time (Kamu Grugier-Hill). Andre Dillard is fine after last week’s scare. One player to watch for is Green Bay pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who has combined with Preston Smith to form one of the better edge duos in football. His possible replacement Rashan Gary also appeared on the report, but under the “Will Play” designation. 

Analysis:

Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers hasn’t played like a superstar this season, but he still poses a major threat to the Eagles much-maligned defensive backfield. Ronald Darby is once again injured, for better or for worse, and Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas will start on the outside against TD machine Davante Adams and talented second-year man Marquez Valdes-Scantling. It’s simple: if the Eagles slow down the Packers passing offense, they have a very, very good chance to emerge from this game victorious. If Rodgers has his way, this one could be out of reach early. I have faith in Carson Wentz’s ability to go toe-to-toe with one of the greats, but there’s a couple of things hindering him. The Packers overhauled defense has been among the league’s top units this year and the Eagles receiving corps still isn’t completely healthy (Jeffery is just returning, Goedert is basically just returning as he was very limited on Sunday, and Jackson is still out). The Eagles first-half struggles have been well-documented, and against the best defense they’ve seen so far this season, a comeback may not be in the books if things get out of hand. 

The Eagles run defense has been spectacular as always. Aaron Jones, the Packers’ main back, appeared on the injury report, and I have full faith in Philadelphia’s front to bottle him up. I don’t have full faith in the front’s ability to get pressure though. The Eagles have only two sacks on the season, and not getting in Rodgers’ face is a sure way to get carved up. The superstar on the line, DT Fletcher Cox, put up a donut in the tackles section last week (in comparison, Carson Wentz had two). He must step up and be the X-factor that we know him to be. The Eagles defensive ends have no sacks between them, and obviously that must change. I’m not sure what is going on with the group that is supposed to be Philadelphia’s main strength, but they must snap out of this trance and get going fast. 

Running the football is always a good way to keep the football out of an opposing elite QB’s hands, but it must be done effectively. I’ve been saying this for weeks, and I will continue to say it: pound Jordan Howard. He is our LeGarrette Blount this season and it is important that we get him going to force defenses to respect the ground game. Forcing Wentz to do it all is a sure way to get him hit behind a line that hasn’t been as advertised this year. 

Optimistic isn’t the word to describe my feelings about this matchup. I don’t trust the defense at all. Even if the offense picks it back up, can the flip side of the ball hold up their end of the bargain? At full health, I believe that his team can be the best in all of football, and maybe next week they will be much closer to it. For now, on a short week following a ridiculous loss and limited rehab time, I’ll save my hope for Week 5. 
Prediction: Eagles 24, Packers 34

-By: Micah Jimoh