Toughest of the Pack

The Philadelphia Eagles, in frigid confines of Lambeau Field, outlasted a Packers team that showed signs of life late, securing a 10-7 win and improving to 7-2 on the season with a prime time home matchup with the Detroit Lions looming.

GETTY IMAGES: Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Jalyx Hunt recorded a key sack on Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love to halt their opening drive.

Though hardly an aesthetically pleasing offensive showing from either side, inspired defensive performances proved to be the prevailing theme, with the Packers’ Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs committing a pair of turnovers that proved costly. The lone touchdowns of the evening belonged to Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith and Packers running back Josh Jacobs, but with the game hanging in the balance, it was the Eagles who delivered the knockout punch to close out the night.

Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 23 pass attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown, adding another 27 yards on the ground. Running back Saquon Barkley carried the ball 22 times for 60 yards. Smith led all Eagles pass catchers with 69 yards and a touchdown on four receptions (seven targets).

On defense, the Eagles recorded three sacks, belonging to Jalyx Hunt, Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith.

Inactive for the Eagles were QB Sam Howell (Third QB), CB Jaire Alexander, CB Mac McWilliams, RB A.J. Dillon, C Cam Jurgens and DT Ty Robinson.

Hours before kickoff, the Eagles activated OLB Nolan Smith Jr. from injured reserve and elevated OLB Patrick Johnson from the practice squad. Johnson has one remaining elevation.

Let’s get to the observations.

* After much discussion this week regarding the cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell, it was veteran Adoree’ Jackson who logged his fourth start of the season. Jackson was involved in the game’s first two plays, teaming with a host of teammates to bring down Packers RB Josh Jacobs after a gain of five and then failing to corral Jacobs on a catch-and-run along the sideline for a gain of six yards. Dean started the game alongside Zack Baun and did a nice job plugging the run. The bookend starters at edge rusher were Smith Jr. and Jaelan Phillips — two players the Eagles didn’t have in the lineup in Week 8. Phillips, along with Baun, converged on Jacobs, limiting him to a three-yard gain on the third play of the game and showcased physicality in run support. Phillips recovered a first-half Love fumble forced by Dean, who picked up first sack of the season, and was in on the critical, late game fourth down stop of Jacobs.

The Eagles, as expected, wasted little time flexing its pass rush rotation, with rookie Jihaad Campbell and Hunt also working in as early as the first drive. Hunt, picking up his second sack of the season, single handedly ruined the Packers’ opening drive, dropping Love on a second-and-nine for an 11-yard loss. In the world of statistics, it might be easy to overlook, but Hunt has played well this season. The numbers are beginning to reflect that. I was a bit surprised that Campbell – a linebacker by trade and work in progress as a pass rusher – worked into the rotation before someone like Josh Uche, but I get the Eagles wanting to get their first-round pick involved early in some capacity.

* From an offensive perspective, the bye week seems to have aided in conjuring some new ideas in terms of personnel. For instance, the Eagles on the first offensive series incorporated all three active running backs (Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley). Shipley, who entered the game having touched the ball just nine times in six games, touched the ball twice on the opening series. The first occurred on a third-and-10, with Shipley snaring an 11-yard reception to keep the drive alive. The next came on a second-and-three, with Shipley carrying for four. It’s possible that his usage may have been game-specific, but interesting to see the backfield variation many were expecting throughout the first eight games.

* The Hurts first-quarter fumble on the opening drive was just the team’s fourth turnover of the season. Notably, that possession covered 77 yards over 16 plays. The remaining four first-half drives went as followed:

Three plays, three yards, punt.

Three plays, eight yards, punt.

Five plays, seven yards, punt.

Four plays, six yards, turnover on downs (end of half).

Aside from the 36-yard touchdown to Smith, I thought Hurts was uneven in this one. There was the red zone fumble, sure, but he was also off target on a handful of throws, most prominent being the deep heave to TE Grant Calcaterra that likely would have yielded a touchdown. Still, Hurts was efficient enough on this night, helping the Eagles improve to 7-2.

* While self-inflicted wounds and frigid conditions likely played a part, the Eagles seemed reluctant to open things up offensively, particularly on some third-and-longs. Even their red zone offense, which has been shrewd and aggressive, didn’t exactly push the envelope. Would have liked to have seen more of a conscious effort to push the ball downfield.

* It was evident early on the Eagles were struggling with their footing, specifically on offense. On the Eagles’ opening drive, on a first-and-10 from the 26, FB Cam Latu and WR Darius Cooper slipped on a play that resulted in a Hurts throwaway. Notably, LT Jordan Mailata and Barkley, unable to stick his foot in the ground and cut, struggled with traction issues on the second drive. Speaking of Mailata, he was tagged with two first half penalties (false starts).

* Apart from a first-half holding penalty, I thought Brett Toth – making his second career start in place of an injured Cam Jurgens – performed admirably at center. The seventh-year pro held firm at the point of attack and again showcased athleticism in climbing to the second level. He appeared comfortable at the controls, much as he did the last time the Eagles played.

* The Eagles lost RT Lane Johnson for much of the game with an ankle injury, thrusting reserve Fred Johnson into service as his replacement. In recent weeks, Johnson had served a role in the jumbo package, but that didn’t preclude the Eagles from continuing to implement an extra offensive lineman, with Matt Pryor fulfilling that job description.

* I really like the dynamic qualities and decisiveness that Xavier Gipson provides as a punt returner. The third-year pro served as the team’s primary punt returner in Week 8, registering a 17-yard return. His first return against the Packers went for 18 yards and next covered 13. For perspective, Jahan Dotson through seven games accounted for 48 yards on five returns, with a long of 15. As an aside, Gipson last week mentioned how instrumental Leon Washington, Mecole Hardman — and Aaron Rodgers were in offering pointers in the return game. The Rodgers influence was particularly relevant for this game, as the veteran quarterback advised Gipson to toss some grass in the air to aid in deciphering wind direction.

* Some end-of-game numbers: The Eagles were flagged seven times for 61 yards. The offense finished 7 of 16 (44%) on third down and the defense held the Packers to 5 of 13 (38%) on third down. The team ran 60 offensive plays.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com