The Green Bay Packers are set to make history as they open the 2024 season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This will be the first NFL regular season game played in South America. The Packers finished last season with a 9-8 record and surprised many by making the playoffs despite having such a young roster. The Eagles finished 2023 with an 11-6 record. The Packers finished the preseason 2-1 while Philadelphia had the same record. Here are six key matchups that will determine who will win Sunday’s Packers-Eagles game.

The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 28-16-0 in the regular season. The series dates back to 1933. The Eagles have won two of the three playoff meetings with the last being a Packers win after the 2010 season.

Here is a look at six key factors that will determine who wins Sunday’s game in Brazil:

Packers Key Matchups, Number One: Protect Jordan Love

The Eagles recorded 43 sacks last season led by the now departed Haason Reddick who they traded to the Jets. They did sign Bryce Huff who had 10 sacks last year with the Jets while playing just 42 percent of the defensive snaps. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is familiar to the Packers from his time with the Bears.

Protecting Jordan Love is always vital for the Packers. Sean Rhyan is the potential weak link along the line in pass protection and he will need to step up and play well.

If Love has time to throw the football, he can take advantage of the Eagles secondary which ranked 31st in the league last year in passing yards allowed per game.

Number Two: Don’t Let Jalen Hurts Beat You with His Legs

Jalen Hurts ran for 605 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He is a real threat to pick up key first downs with his legs which is something the Packers have struggled to stop in recent years.

More important than sacking Hurts is to contain him from scrambling for big gains, especially on third down. The Packers may use Quay Walker as a spy against Hurts to prevent him from having too much room to run.

Hurts’ mobility will provide defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense a real test in his first game with the Packers.

Packers Key Matchups, Number Three: Slow Down Saquon Barkley

The Eagles added former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley this offseason. Barkley has enjoyed solid performances against the Packers, averaging 4.6-yards per rush in three career games.

The Packers four-man front must stop the run better than they did under Joe Barry. T.J. Slaton, Kenny Clark and Quay Walker will be keys to slowing the running game.

There will be a learning curve for the Packers defense but hopefully, they can slow down Barkley enough to keep the Eagles offense in plenty of third and long situations.

Number Four: Stay Balanced on Offense

This will be the first regular season game with the Packers for Josh Jacobs. The Packers will rely heavily on Jacobs to run the football as the depth behind him is either injured, inexperienced, or both.

In the past, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has often gotten away from the running game too soon. He has to continue to run the ball enough to keep the Eagles defense honest even though their run defense is better than their pass defense on paper.

Packers Key Matchups, Number Five: Don’t Let the Kicking Game Hurt You

The Packers signed Brayden Narveson to be their new kicker late last week. The coaching staff didn’t have enough confidence in either Anders Carlson or Greg Joseph.

Narveson needs to get off to a good start and solidify his hold on the kicking job. The Eagles will not be an easy opponent and if the game is close, it could come down to a field goal either way.

The special teams units in general also need to be better as Rich Bisaccia’s units have struggled in recent years.

Number Six: Take Advantage of the Young Eagles Secondary

Love played at an elite level in the second half of last season. The Eagles secondary finished 31st in the league last year against the pass and that’s something the Packers need to take advantage of.

The Eagles selected defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. Look for Love to test these rookies early and often during this game.

LaFleur should be able to scheme up some mismatches as the Packers receiving depth is better than the Eagles coverage depth. The Packers should take advantage of matchups against the Eagles third or fourth corners or third safety.

The Packers should also spread the ball around to different receivers to take advantage of this matchup.

Prediction:

This is a game between two teams that should be NFC contenders this season. That means it could have tie-breaking implications come playoff time. Both teams have new defensive coordinators and new running backs.

The Packers will likely have more fans at the game which will make this seem more like a home game. Love will take full advantage of the Eagles secondary and that will be just enough for the Packers to get the 2024 season off to a good start.

Packers 34, Eagles 31

 

 

 

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