By Brooks Kubena, Matt Schneidman and Mark Puleo
SÃO PAOLO – The NFL’s first game in South America provided fans in Brazil with a little bit of everything, good and bad: highlight reel plays by new Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, slips and falls on a slick field, and ultimately a close 34-29 win by Philadelphia over the Green Bay Packers.
But what happened with six seconds remaining will be of most immediate concern.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who became the NFL’s highest-paid player in July, had to be helped off the field after he was rolled up while trying to extend a play during Green Bay’s desperate final drive. His backup, Malik Willis, finished the game at quarterback. Love left the locker room under his own power with what looked like a minimal limp, but did not speak to the media.
GO DEEPER
Jordan Love exits in final seconds with apparent injury
For the Eagles, the close win over a fellow NFC contender was a strong start after losing six of seven to end last season. Philadelphia overcame three Jalen Hurts turnovers — including an interception on his first pass attempt — and immediately saw the benefits of signing Barkley to a three-year deal this offseason. Barkley, the former New York Giant, scored three touchdowns for the second time in his career and produced 132 yards rushing and receiving combined.
This angle of @Saquonthe first TD as an Eagle 🔥🔥🔥
Sǎo Paulo rocking
📺: #GBvsPHI on a peacock pic.twitter.com/C8gxS3h9O0
— NFL (@NFL) 7 September 2024
The Athletics‘s Brooks Kubena and Matt Schneidman break down Brazil’s game.
Love’s health to determine Packers season
It’s safe to say that the Packers’ entire season hinges on Love’s injury.
The quarterback’s left leg got caught under Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter on the second-to-last play of the game and bent awkwardly. Love writhed in pain on the field and had to be helped by team doctor Pat McKenzie and trainer Nate Weir. Love also appeared to need help from the field after the play of running back Josh Jacobs and Weir.
After the game, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said “I don’t know” when asked what he knew about Love’s injury and also what happened to Love. The quarterback was seen leaving the locker room under his own power with what looked like a minimal limp while favoring his right leg, which would make sense based on what happened on the play.
If Love is out for the season or even an extended period of time with whatever injury to his left leg he suffered, the Packers’ playoff hopes take a major hit. Many fingers will be crossed in Green Bay over the next few days. – Matt Schneidman, Packers beat writer
Barkley is worth every penny so far
General manager Howie Roseman set a franchise single-year spending record on running backs by signing Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract in the offseason.
Barkley had 24 carries for 109 yards and two rushing touchdowns, plus two catches for 23 yards, including an 18-yard reception score. Barkley’s 11-yard touchdown run and 34-yard cut later in the game revealed that the Eagles secured the explosive back their money guaranteed. – Brooks Kubena, Eagles beat writer
New DC, same Green Bay struggles against the run
In an unsurprising development, the Packers have struggled to find a great running back behind a historically solid offensive line. The Packers kept Barkley in check last season when the Packers played the Giants, but this was the Eagles going forward.
The Packers limited Barkley’s yards per carry late in the game, but the damage was already done. Week 1 proved that Green Bay’s chronic run defense issues continue to appear to be an issue. The Packers’ pass defense was better last season, ranking 13th in EPA rush defense per snap, but still ranked 31st from 2019 to 2023 combined.
Can new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley change the narrative this season? Only time will tell, but the Packers didn’t get off to a great start in Brazil. – Schneidman
Not everything was perfect for Philadelphia
Two botched snaps were among the Eagles’ many gaffes – despite the win – on Friday. (Photo: Pedro Vilela / Getty Images)
There was… a lot to clean up. New Eagles starting center Cam Jurgens — replacing the retired Jason Kelce — snapped the ball when Hurts wasn’t ready, resulting in a fumble on the second drive. When the Eagles tried to put the game away late, Jurgens and Hurts mishandled a snap on their infamous “tush push,” and Barkley recovered the fumble.
Hurts was careless with the football at times, throwing it twice into heavy coverage, which resulted in two interceptions — one of them in the end zone. Carter was flagged for roughing the passer early in the game, wiping out a Zack Baun sack. Nakobe Dean dropped what could have been a pick-six.
Coach Nick Sirianni, who moved further into a GM-type role this offseason, needs to make sure these many gaffes don’t happen again. — Cuban
How did the Eagles line up defensively under Fangio?
The Eagles have yet to field their “top five” in the secondary. It was interesting that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio committed Quinyon Mitchell to only playing outside cornerback after talking during training camp as if he was also platooning at nickel. Instead, Avonte Maddox started at nickel.
The arrangement may be untenable. When he was targeted on back-to-back plays, Maddox was flagged for pass interference on the first and surrendered a touchdown on the second.
But beyond anyone’s performance in the slot, there were coverage breakdowns elsewhere. Love hit a wide open Jayden Reed for a 70-yard touchdown, and safety CJ Gardner-Johnson missed a tackle that could have saved the score.
Mitchell clearly belongs outside. Love tested him deep early, and Mitchell knocked the pass away from Christian Watson. Mitchell also stretched laterally to deflect an onside pass near the sticks later in the game.
But who will be the nickel of the defense in Week 2? Maddox? Cooper DeJean? It may depend on whether Isaiah Rodgers is available. He was inactive Friday with a hand injury, and he was the outside cornerback during training camp when Mitchell played nickel. – Cuban
Jayden Reed may be the Packers’ next star receiver
It took the Packers until Week 17 last season to have their first 100-yard receiver. After an offseason and preseason worth of talk about the Packers’ lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver and the belief that it could be any of four guys depending on the game, Jayden Reed staked his claim first.
JAYDEN REED LEFT WIDE OPEN FOR THE 70-YARD TD.
📺: #GBvsPHI on a peacock pic.twitter.com/cAvTn5HLLd
— NFL (@NFL) 7 September 2024
Reed eclipsed 100 yards with four catches for 138, including the 70-yard touchdown. He also added a 33-yard touchdown, proving that the playmaking ability he displayed in multiple ways last season should be there again in 2024. — Schneidman
Green Bay undone by penalties
Penalties seriously hurt the Packers on Friday. In total, they accumulated 10 for 71 yards.
There was a Rasheed Walker hold that put the Packers back after Xavier McKinney’s returned an interception into the red zone. Offensive pass interference on Romeo Doubs denied a Christian Watson touchdown on what ended up being a field goal drive. A defensive tackle by Kenny Clark gave the Eagles a first down on what would have been a third-down stop late in the fourth quarter.
I could go on with the number of ways the Packers shot themselves in the foot in Week 1. They’ll have plenty of time to lament them on the nearly 10-hour flight back to Green Bay. — Schneidman
What’s next?
For the Eagles: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Monday, September 16 (8:15 p.m. ET)
For the packers: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, September 15 (1 p.m. ET)
Required reading
(Photo: Pedro Vilela / Getty Images)
