The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles traveled all the way to Brazil to kick off their 2024 NFL seasons, making it a historic night for the league. It marked the NFL’s first game in the Southern Hemisphere, the first opening-week game on a Friday since 1970, and Saquon Barkley’s debut with the Eagles
The game started slowly, but the action picked up in the second quarter. Barkley, who had joined the Eagles in the offseason, made a splash with two impressive touchdowns. Green Bay’s Jayden Reed responded with a pair of touchdowns of his own, keeping the game tight and exciting.
As the second half unfolded, the lead shifted back and forth between the two teams. Despite an intense fight from the Packers, the Eagles pulled ahead and secured a 34-29 victory. The game ended on a concerning note for Green Bay, with quarterback Jordan Love sidelined due to a suspected leg injury.
Here’s The Rundown Of What Went Down On Friday Night For Eagles And Packers
Philadelphia Eagles
1. Barkley’s Electrifying Debut
In his highly anticipated debut for the Philadelphia Eagles, Saquon Barkley lived up to the hype. At Arena Corinthians, he rushed for over 100 yards and scored three total touchdowns, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game. His standout moment came in the second quarter with an impressive 18-yard touchdown reception along the left sideline. =
The Eagles had high expectations when they signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract this spring, and he delivered. Playing behind a formidable offensive line and alongside playmakers like receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Barkley, 27, showcased his revitalized form. He became only the second Eagles player to score three touchdowns in his debut, joining Terrell Owens in 2004.
2. Eye-Popping Stat
The Eagles’ first-quarter performance was notably poor, as they managed just 35 yards. This marked their fewest yards in an opening quarter since Week 17 of the 2022 season, when they had only 2 yards. Last season, they were held scoreless in the first quarter only twice, and they lost both games, which were against the Dallas Cowboys (Week 14) and the New York Giants (Week 18).
3. QB Jalen Hurts’ Inconsistent Performance
Hurts had a mixed performance throughout the game. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, which could have jeopardized the Eagles’ chances of winning. His most critical mistake came in the fourth quarter, when he threw a costly interception in the end zone. Despite these errors, Hurts led a crucial drive in the game’s closing moments, securing the Eagles’ victory. His ability to rebound and manage the game-winning drive demonstrated his resilience and leadership.
4. Troubling Trend for the Defense
The Eagles’ defense, which had struggled in the 2023 season, continued to show weaknesses. Despite the arrival of new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the unit was far from perfect. The defense struggled with missed tackles and allowed several explosive plays. A notable example was Reed’s 70-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter. However, the defense did manage to limit the Packers to just one touchdown on four red zone trips.
Green Bay Packers
1. Defensive and Special Teams Issues
The Green Bay Packers faced several challenges, particularly with their defense and special teams. The defense, led by new coordinator Jeff Hafley, showed signs of a work in progress. Additionally, rookie kicker Brayden Narveson struggled during the game. Given the debut of Hafley’s defense and Narveson’s inexperience, these issues were expected.
2. Jordan Love’s Performance and Injury
Jordan Love had a challenging game against the Eagles despite signing a four-year, $220 million contract extension this summer. Love struggled with calf issues on a slippery field and lost his footing. He completed 17 of 34 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns but also threw one interception. Love had to leave the game on the third-to-last play with an apparent lower left leg injury, raising concerns about his health moving forward.
3. Promising Trend for Reed
In his second year, Romeo Reed demonstrated that his impressive rookie season was no fluke. He scored a 33-yard rushing touchdown on an end-around play and a 70-yard receiving touchdown. Reed became the third player in the past 40 years to record both a 70-yard receiving touchdown and a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the same game.
4. Troubling Trends
The Packers faced several issues with their kicking game and penalties. After initially making short field goals of 31 and 23 yards and his first two extra points, Brayden Narveson missed a 43-yard field goal attempt. However, he made a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Narveson, who was claimed off waivers last week, became the sixth kicker on the Packers’ roster since last season.
The Packers also experienced problems with penalties, committing ten penalties for 71 yards. They had red zone holding penalties on two first-quarter drives and were forced to settle for field goals. Additionally, they had two illegal shift penalties on the same drive in the third quarter, leading to a punt. A defensive hold by Kenny Clark in the final moments of the game also proved costly.
5. Crucial Play
A critical moment in the game occurred in the third quarter when Jordan Love threw an interception. With the Packers leading 26-24, Love’s pass intended for tight end Luke Musgrave was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship. This turnover led to another touchdown by Saquon Barkley, putting the Eagles ahead 31-26.
A Look Into The Stat Of The Game
Jalen Hurts showed significant improvement against the blitz in Week 1. After struggling in 2023, he completed 6 of 7 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown when pressured by the Packers’ defense. Although inconsistent, Hurts averaged 2.46 seconds to throw under these conditions, which marked improvement from his previous performance against similar pressures.
What Was The Historical Moment In Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles?
Saquon Barkley achieved a notable milestone for the Eagles. With two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, he became the first Eagles running back to score both ways in a single game since Miles Sanders did so in 2019.
