The game, however, started out in the Packers favor and they never lost the lead. Aaron Rodgers looked like the savvy veteran he always looks like against the Eagles and many of his passes appeared to magnetically hit his receiver in the hands. The Packers really didn't run the ball effectively as I believe their leading rusher was Aaron Rodgers. The guy still has it, at least against the Eagles as he was able to go for two passing touchdowns to Davante Adams on the first and second drives. Aaron Rodgers with his turtle screens and short passes seemed unbeatable as the Eagles rarely had a single answer for the Packers offense.
The Eagles offense started out well with Carson Wentz being perfect in passing on his first drive, ending the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the season. I thought he played decently in the first half as he got the Eagles out of a lot of 3rd and long situations. However, the Eagles were unable to add an equalizing touchdown in the second quarter after Wentz threw a pass to Bryce Treggs while the receiver was being interfered with. The officials didn't call holding or pass interference even though I thought they should have. Wentz's lone mistake was an over the middle shot to Zach Ertz that was intercepted by Packers Safety, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Wentz also was able to target Dorial Green-Beckham and Jordan Matthews a lot in the first half, but after Jordan got injured, the Eagles attack was basically nullified in the longer passing game.
With running back Ryan Mathews out of the game, the Eagles relied on Sproles, Barner, and Smallwood to carry the load. Smallwood actually was playing well in the game, but he was hampered by poor play calling. The Eagles had a chance to extend drives while running the football, but they lost their edge when they relied on the passing game with injured receivers. The Packers had only six drives, as did the Eagles as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense was able to lead long drives that spanned over ten plays. When that happens, coupled with roughing the passer, off-sides, and holding calls, it really does a number on the team.
The offensive line really didn't do Carson Wentz very many favors as he was pressured with four guys often and there were a lot of times in which holding and false-starts occurred, which kept the Eagles out of good position to convert drives. The lone bright spot on the Eagles team continues to be Caleb Stugis, as he was able to hit two field goals from very long distance. Sturgis was able to keep the Eagles in the game, but bad play calls and penalties kept them out of good position. The game was 17-13 at one point, but the Eagles defenders were unable to disrupt the Packers short passing attack and Aaron Rodgers had his was with the Eagles like he always does. It makes me question the coaching staff sometimes until I remember that this is a rebuilding football team with five wins in eleven games, which was far better than I expected. I know this was a very short recap, but to be honest, the game went by so fast that not even the annoying commercials could make it long enough to fill a three hour time slot.
I congratulate the Packers on their win even though some of the penalties made me a little salty. I am not as salty as I was after the Lions game, but I do question the officials when the Eagles defensive line are held a lot, the receivers are held even more, and it seems like Dorial Green-Beckham cannot even block on screen plays without getting called for offensive pass interference, when I see other teams get away with the same thing. Then I realize that it was probably karma for pushing that woman down the stairs. I am very disappointed in this team and I am merely hoping to see improvement throughout the season as the playoffs seem to be a lost cause with this team.
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| Aaron Rodgers with poise against the Philadelphia Eagles |
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