Packers “Fear” Says Something Completely Different
It’s OK to just say it. You will still be friends with your boys, you won’t get kicked off the group chat and your dog will still love you. The weak-willed among us MAY end up being proven right in the end, but it’s important to know what people are REALLY saying. Fact, if you are worried about the Eagles chances to defeat the Green Bay Packers in a wildcard game at home you don’t really believe in the Eagles.
You will spin it as “look at this dangerous Packers team” when in reality you are revealing your inability to believe in the Eagles chances.
Don’t get me wrong, IF the Eagles were to get upset at home in the wildcard round you can crow all you want about how “you got it right” but why not just say it now? You don’t think the Eagles are that good. I’ll disagree with you and here is why;
The Packers have wilted against top competition
Before the season, Jordan Love was touted as the “next big thing”. It certainly hasn’t turned out that way. He’s most certainly not been terrible but he has not delivered on the hype. Much like CJ Stroud, the learning curve has been a problem.
Love has had five bites at the apple against the three best teams in the NFC. He is 0-5. His numbers in those games are also completely deceptive. Almost 2/3 of his passing statistics occurred in those games after his team was trailing by 3 scores! He had deficits of 28, 21, 17 and 10 facing Detroit and Minnesota. After garbage time he accumulated cosmetic numbers that made those games look closer than they were.
In the Eagles opening of the season matchup in Brazil, Love and the Packers had every chance to put the Birds to bed. They failed miserably. The Eagles defense wasn’t even cooking back then. The chatter of Love and the Packers being a threat will be based on fear, not facts.
The Eagles are better on both sides of the ball
Who has the better quarterback? Hurts has defeated Mahomes, Allen and Jackson in the last 14 months. In big games he has delivered, including outdueling Mahomes on the biggest stage if not for a crazy unforced fumble. Would you want to face this Eagles receiving corps? Saquon Barkley is the best running back in any game the Eagles will play this post season.
The Eagles defense is the better unit and Green Bay is nothing to discount. They gave up just 1.5 more points per game going into the Week 18 contests. The rush defense is very similar but the Packers give up roughly 50 yards more per game through the air. Hurts should have an easier time succeeding vs the Packers with the absence of Jaire Alexander in the secondary.
The Eagles are playing at home
Lincoln Financial Field has been quite hospitable to the Eagles under Nick Sirianni. Since 2022, the Eagles 20-5 mark (prior to Week 18) is tied for the 2nd best in the NFL. The Eagles are also +14 in the turnover margin at home since 2022, which is third best in the NFL. The turnovers have become more plentiful for the Eagles too recently. Love has 11 interceptions, almost double of what Hurts has created.
It’s a time for honesty
If you believe that the Eagles have a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl then a matchup in the wildcard round should be looked upon as a challenge to take seriously but victory should not be doubted.
There is a chance that the Eagles could have to pull off the NFC North Trifecta in order to get to Super Bowl 59. Detroit and Minnesota have both already dog-walked this Packers team twice. If you don’t believe the Eagles can do the same on a cold January day you don’t really believe at all.
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