Everything Eagles fans need to know about the Green Bay Packers ahead of the wild-card matchup
The Eagles’ wild-card opponent is set. Here’s everything Philly fans need to know about the Packers and their matchup against the Birds.
The Eagles started the season against the Packers in Brazil. Now they’re going to start the playoffs against Green Bay, this time with a home game in Philadelphia.
If you haven’t thought about the Packers since early September, we’ve got you covered with answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding the Birds’ wild-card matchup with the Packers.
When is the Eagles-Packers game?
The Eagles and Packers will play on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
How can I watch the game?
The Eagles vs. Packers game will be available free to watch nationwide on Fox at 4:30 p.m.
Other wild-card games will air on NBC, CBS, and ABC/ESPN. Ravens vs. Steelers will be a Prime Video exclusive, but fans can purchase a 30-day free trial in order to watch the game for free on Saturday night.
» READ MORE: Eagles-Packers: Four matchups to watch in a wild-card playoff rematch
How did the Packers get here?
The Packers have beaten almost everyone on their schedule — except for their NFC North rivals (and, of course, the Eagles, but we’ll get to that). The Packers are 11-6, but still finished third in their division thanks to the success of the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, who went a combined 4-0 against Green Bay this season.
Still, quarterback Jordan Love proved his breakout campaign in 2023 was no fluke, overcoming an early season injury at the end of the Eagles game to put up a 3,389-yard, 25-touchdown season, and the offense continued to improve over the course of the season. From Weeks 1-11, the Packers ranked 27th in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage, converting just 48.7% of the time. Since Week 12, entering Week 18 the Packers rank second in the league, converting on 78.2%.
Who are the Packers’ best players?
Love has been consistent for the Packers once again, leading the team to its second playoff berth as starting quarterback. Josh Jacobs has been one of the NFL’s best running backs this season, finishing with 1,329 rushing yards this season, ranked fifth in the league entering Week 18. Rookie receiver Jayden Reed is Love’s top pass-catching threat, with 812 yards on the season, but tight end Tucker Kraft and receiver Romeo Doubs also get consistent action on the outside.
The Packers defense has also been solid, led by Pro Bowl safety Xavier McKinney, an offseason pickup from the Giants who ranks second in the NFL with eight interceptions, and edge rusher Rashan Gary, who has a team-leading 7½ sacks.
Do they have any key injuries?
Both Love and wide receiver Christian Watson left the Packers’ game against the Bears in the first half Sunday.
The Packers announced that Love left the game with a right elbow injury, and Watson was carted off the field with a knee injury. A knee injury also kept him out of practice in the week leading up to the game. Malik Willis replaced Love.
Coach Matt LaFleur said after the loss to the Bears that he’s “not super confident” about Watson’s injury and confirmed Monday that the wideout will indeed miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Love, on the other hand, was cleared to return to the game and will be “good to go” to play in the wild-card game against the Eagles.
Also, former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander has also been ruled out with a season-ending knee injury, as the Packers placed him on injured reserve prior to Sunday’s game.
Have they played the Eagles yet this year?
The Packers opened their season against the Eagles in Brazil. Despite a shaky start from Jalen Hurts, who threw two interceptions before halftime, the Birds captured a 34-29 win thanks to Saquon Barkley’s three-touchdown effort, a sign of what was to come in 2024 from the superstar running back.
The Eagles are the only team outside of the NFC North to beat the Packers in 2024.
Have they met in the playoffs before?
The Eagles and Packers have met in the playoffs three times.
The Birds beat the Packers to win the NFL championship in 1960, 17-13 at Franklin Field in their first and most pivotal postseason matchup. But perhaps the most famous game between the two teams — for many of today’s Eagles fans, at least — came in 2004. Any time you can refer to a game by a name, you know it’s a good one, and this is simply “fourth-and-26.″
After the Packers took a 14-0 first-half lead, the Eagles, led by Donovan McNabb, tied the score at 14. After falling behind again, the Birds managed to force overtime after McNabb converted a fourth-and-26 pass to Freddie Mitchell to help set up the tying score. Brian Dawkins picked off Brett Favre in overtime and David Akers kicked the game-winning field goal to send the Birds back to the NFC championship game.
The most recent playoff matchup between the teams came in 2011, when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers beat the Eagles, 21-16, in the wild-card round.
What are the Eagles’ chances of beating the Packers?
The Eagles opened as a 3.5-point favorite over the Packers at most sportsbooks.
Is Jalen Hurts going to play?
Hurts was knocked out of the loss to the Commanders on Dec. 22 and placed in concussion protocol. Hurts missed the final two games of the season, against the Cowboys and the Giants. Kenny Pickett started against Dallas before he aggravated his rib injury, and Tanner McKee played the final quarter against Dallas and started against the Giants.
It’s the playoffs, so Hurts will certainly do everything he can to start, but his injury status will be something to watch heading into the wild-card round.
What’s next?
The team that wins will advance to the divisional round on either Jan. 18 or Jan. 19. If the winning team is the Eagles, that game will be held at Lincoln Financial Field.
After that, the winner of the divisional-round game plays the other divisional winner in the NFC championship, which will be played on Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. If they were to win, the Eagles would have home-field advantage in this game only if the lower-seeded team advances against the top-seeded Lions. If the Lions win, the Eagles would go on the road.
The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.