The Green Bay Packers face a massive test this evening on Monday Night Football, when the Philadelphia Eagles come into Lambeau Field for a critical NFC matchup. These two teams have become very familiar
with each other over the last year-plus, and this prime time contest will have massive ripple effects across the conference.
If the Packers win, they would hold on to the lead in the NFC North division and climb into the #2 spot in the conference’s playoff picture. An Eagles win, on the other hand, would send the Packers plummeting down into third place in the division and 7th in the conference.
Much of this game’s flow will depend on which team can control the line of scrimmage through the run game. Philadelphia’s offense finally found a flow on the ground two weeks ago before their bye, as they racked up 276 rushing yards in a big win over the New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Packers continue to struggle with consistency on the ground, crossing the century mark in only half their games this season and averaging 97 yards per game rushing in their last three.
Whichever defense can do a better job in limiting their opposition’s run game will probably win this game. With the Eagles’ offense being one of the worst in the NFL on third downs, the Packers defense must find ways to win on first and second downs to force third-and-long situations. If they can do that, they’ll have a great shot at a wi — if they can get out of their own way in other aspects of the game.
Here are our final Cheese Curds before tonight’s big matchup.
Eagles defense scouting report: Can Josh Jacobs and Packers run the ball effectively? | Packers Wire
Running the ball effectively is more important than ever now that Tucker Kraft is out for the year. The big question is whether the Packers can do it, even though the Eagles are only ranked 19th against the run this season.
Packers defense knows it can’t let Eagles running back Saquon Barkley get started | Packersnews.com($)
Can the Green Bay defense avoid getting beaten by the obvious guy? They’re surely hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s two games against the Eagles, when Barkley ran for 109 yards and had 3 total TDs in week 1 and had 119 on the ground in the Wild Card game.
Five Critical Factors for Packers in Showdown vs. Eagles | SI.com
The linebacker matchup will be a notable one, as well.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart ruled out after suffering concussion in loss to Bears | NFL.com
The Giants looked to be on their way to beating the Bears on Sunday before Dart’s injury forced him out of the game. With Green Bay playing the Giants on the road next weekend, Dart’s status will be one to monitor this week.
Statement from the Green Bay Packers | Packers.com
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue passed away this weekend after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Here is the Packers’ statement on his passing.
‘Very credible’ Bigfoot sighting reported in Central Pennsylvania, researcher said | WTAJ.com
That’s the description of the sighting by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, which is apparently a real thing that exists — regardless of the existence of sasquatch itself.
