We hope you've had a chance to check out our Season Prediction, Packer fans, for an overview of how we are looking at the season and how we believe it will play out given the schedule.
But it all starts, of course, with Game #1: the Pack vs. the Eagles down in good ol' Brazil. Crikey! There's been a lot of buildup going into this game, of course, with 2 of the top contenders in the NFC going head to head in the first-ever NFL game held in South America. While it's not a mandatory win for either, whichever team does come out on top may well have an important tie-breaker at the end of the season if playoff seeding is in play.
The Packers need to have a big game tonight from Kenny Clark and the entire defensive unit to shut down Eagles QB Jalen Hurts et al.
(Photo by Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Two top offenses. Which is the better defense?
There probably doesn't need to be a lot of discussion of offenses at this point. Both teams think they know what they have with two top quarterbacks. There are also two top running backs: the Packers, as we know, let Aaron Jones go (to the ViQueens...ewww) and picked up a younger and accomplished back in Josh Jones. Didn't see him really in the preseason outside of the first carry in the first preseason game and a pass reception in the flat ... so hard to know how he and the O-line have synced up. We'll find out. The question is who might his back up be tonight and going forward as injuries in the backfield make that a bit of a toss-up at the moment. And, as we also know, RB A.J. Dillon was placed on the season-ending (and perhaps Packers-career-ending) injured reserved list after a lackluster preseason. So...a question there.
No question for the Packers regarding their receivers, though. If the line can give Love time (which we expect against an Eagles defense that has some questions surrounding it), we see Love having a big night in the air. Especially if Jacobs can do enough to keep the Eagles D a bit unsure of what the Packers will do.
Conversely, the Eagles offense is also high powered with a QB of the type that has always seemed to give the Packers fits. Someone who can run and throw: Jalen Hurts. The Packers defensive front has to keep him in check. But even if they do, let's remember that the Eagles acquired RB Saquon Barkley in the offseason. Oy. The Pack's new defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, has a load of talent to work with on that side of the ball and will need to scheme the line and coverages in ways that minimize the chances for getting picked apart in the running and passing games. As it's the first game of the season AND the very first under this new 4-3 defensive scheme the Pack will be running, one might expect a lot of adjustments throughout the game.
If it comes down to the kicking game? Oh boy. We Packer fans will be getting our very first look at our new kicker, Brayden Narveson, claimed after the Titans waived him following the preseason. Strong leg, we hear. We've heard that before. We need an accurate leg. Supposedly, Narveson has performed well in his young — and non-NFL — career. If you're one who believes in the power of prayer...start now.
The Prediction
The Eagles are currently favored by 3 points over the Pack. We've seen the over-under at 48-1/2 points. We see it as basically a toss-up game. One team could blow the other team out. Or not. We think the point differential is about right. But we see the Packers picking up where they left off at the end of the last regular season and the Eagles doing the same (a 1-6 finish after a strong start). Bottom line: Packers win.
We're call this game Packers 27- Eagles 24.
Go Pack Go!!!
