Undefeated no more. A lot of us thought this would be the game where the Packers (3-1, 2-0 NFC North) would finally get rolling and click on both sides of the ball, but the Philadelphia Eagles (2-2, 1-0 NFC East) had other plans, handing the Packers their first loss of the season, 34-27, at Lambeau Field Thursday night.
The Packers’ offense struck quick on their first offensive drive, which was also their longest scoring drive of the season, as they cruised 89 yards down the field in just five plays in only 2:18 for a touchdown. It was running back Aaron Jones who found the endzone off a 3-yard run, scoring his third rushing touchdown in the last two games.
The Packers’ defense looked sharp in the first quarter, but after that, the Eagles quickly began to pick them apart, especially with their run game. It was the first time this season we saw Mike Pettine’s crew truly be outplayed, and by a pretty banged up Eagles offense too. After Packer’ kicker Mason Crosby hit a 30-yard field goal to open the second quarter, the Eagles responded with a touchdown, held the Packers to another field goal, and quickly responded with two more touchdowns to shift the momentum in their favor and take a 21-13 lead.
And just like that, the Eagles never trailed once the rest of the game.
The offense even sparked a comeback at the end of the first half after Rodgers found wide receiver Geronimo Allison for a 19-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-20. They even tied the game at 27 late in the third quarter, off another spectacular touchdown catch from tight end Jimmy Graham, but the Eagles’ run game continued to pound this Packers’ defense as running back Jordan Howard found the endzone for the second time to put the Eagles up by 7. Rodgers and the Packers got a chance to tie the game with a minute left, but Rodgers pass was deflected in the end zone off an unlucky bounce and the Eagles were gifted a game winning interception.
It was the first time in Rodgers’ career that he threw an interception within the 3-yard line.
With some questionable play calling, significant injuries, and trouble in paradise for the first time for this Packers’ defense, there was plenty to take away from Thursday night’s game.
The good news? 3-1 is not such a terrible place to be.
You can read the full article by Sarah Kelliher of Cheesehead TV by clicking here.
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