Jalen Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard touchdown pass, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 10-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. This win was propelled primarily by a strong defensive performance from the Eagles.
The game was marked by a series of defensive stands, resulting in the first halftime tie of the season, with neither team managing to score in the first half. The Eagles initially took a 3-0 lead with a field goal, but it was their offensive surge in the fourth quarter that ultimately sealed the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Eagles facing a third-and-7 from their own 23-yard line, Saquon Barkley caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage, evaded a tackle from cornerback Carrington Valentine, and sprinted for a 41-yard gain. This set up Smith”s touchdown catch, which put Philadelphia ahead 10-0 with just over ten minutes remaining.
Green Bay responded with a touchdown of their own when Josh Jacobs scored on a 6-yard run, narrowing the deficit to 10-7 with less than six minutes left in the game. The Packers had a chance to tie or win in the closing moments but were hampered by mistakes. A fumble by Jacobs on fourth-and-1 effectively ended their drive, giving the Eagles a chance to run down the clock.
In a last-ditch effort, the Packers regained possession with 27 seconds remaining on their own 36-yard line. A key 18-yard completion from Jordan Love to Bo Melton moved them past midfield, but Brandon McManus failed to convert a long field goal attempt that would have tied the game.
This defeat marked the Packers” second consecutive loss, dropping their record to 5-3-1 and placing them third in the NFC North. They had previously held the best record in the NFC before suffering a loss to Carolina earlier this month.
In a game where offensive fireworks were scarce, this matchup featured several turnovers and missed scoring opportunities. Both quarterbacks struggled, with Hurts and Love each fumbling away potential scoring chances in the first half. The game was also notable for a proposed rule change regarding the “tush push” play, which the Packers opposed during the offseason.
The Eagles will next host the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, while the Packers will travel to face the New York Giants.
