A Pack of concerns | Sports Daily Newsletter

The Green Bay Packers certainly seem to be limping into their playoff matchup with the Eagles on Sunday.

They have dropped two in a row, including a loss to the Bears in which star receiver Christian Watson suffered a torn knee ligament. Quarterback Jordan Love (elbow) and his backup Malik Willis (thumb) are both banged up, and the team’s best cornerback, Jaire Alexander, is on injured reserve.

It’s no surprise that the Eagles opened as 4.5-point favorites for the wild-card game at the Linc. The Birds are well rested and mostly healthy after finishing the regular season with 14 wins. There is a caveat, though:

Jalen Hurts remained in the concussion protocol Monday after missing the previous two games. Coach Nick Sirianni had no new information to share about his star quarterback’s status, which will make things interesting as the week moves on.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓ Can the Eagles advance in the playoffs if Jalen Hurts cannot play? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Joel Embiid sat out Monday night against the Phoenix Suns to nurse his many injuries. However, the big man seems to be in a better place when it comes to his production for the Sixers lately. Embiid started slowly this season, but he has surpassed 25 points five straight times, tied for the NBA’s third-longest active streak.

Without their All-Star center — as well as Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry — the Sixers fell, 109-99, to the Suns.

There’s nothing wrong with celebrating a surprisingly good Eagles season before the playoff angst begins in earnest. It went beyond Saquon Barkley’s 2,005-yard rushing performance and the many dazzling plays that came with it. There was the emergence of linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean, the sheer dominance of the offensive line, the instant impact of Cooper DeJean, and more. EJ Smith hands out his regular-season awards.

One final note from the Eagles’ 14th win: Defensive tackle Jordan Davis wound up playing quite a bit against the dreadful Giants while the Birds’ starters rested. Davis has seen his role in the defense change, but he’ll need to step up against the Packers’ running game.

It’s no secret by now that the Flyers have a goalie problem.

The trio of Sam Ersson, Aleksei Kolosov, and Ivan Fedotov has combined for an .878 save percentage, the worst mark in the league. While getting Ersson back healthy and playing well remains a top priority, Sunday may have provided another silver lining. Fedotov, who had not played in a month, got the start and stopped 22 of 25 shots in a credible performance despite a 3-2 overtime defeat in Toronto.

Could we see more Fedotov going forward? Jackie Spiegel believes that with Ersson out, it’s not only time to give the 6-foot-7 netminder a chance but that the Flyers should send Kolosov — whether he likes it or not — down to the minors for development.

Drew Shelton had big shoes to fill this season when he took over as starting left tackle for Penn State. Former starter Olu Fashanu moved on to the Miami Dolphins as a first-round draft pick, but Shelton has worked out just fine for the Nittany Lions.

A former star at Downingtown West High, Shelton has allowed just two sacks in 462 pass block snaps this season. Now Shelton and the Lions are two wins away from the College Football Playoff championship as they prepare to face Notre Dame.

On the other side of the ball, edge rusher Max Granville is making an impact as a freshman who should still be in high school.

It might be time for the Phillies to move on from Kyle Schwarber as their leadoff hitter this season, and Rob Thomson is at least considering it. “I don’t know if that’s the best thing to do, to move Kyle out of the leadoff spot, because he’s really good at it,” the manager said. “But it may help protect other people.”

The Dodgers put their best player, Shohei Ohtani, in the leadoff spot and we saw how that worked out for the World Series champions. Remind us again who the Phillies’ best player is. How about Bryce Harper leading off for the Phils?

Which Eagle holds the record for career rushing yardage in the playoffs? First with the correct answer here will be featured in the newsletter.

A) Brian Westbrook

B) Donovan McNabb

C) Wilbert Montgomery

D) Duce Staley

We asked you: What is the key for the Eagles as they begin their playoff run? Among your responses:

Key? Based on what we’ve seen of late, Jake Elliott needs a session in the sideline tent before each kick. This would better serve to set his mind straight in order to kick the ball straight. It’s mind over matter what matters. For the Eagles to be at their best, they need Jake at his best — every game. — John B.

Run the football, play solid and tough defense and don’t fumble the football. Green Bay is a tough team. — Virgil K.

Key #1 is Jalen Hurts. Where is Hurts and how long does it take to clear protocol? Also his failure to reappear after this length of time really makes you wonder how good these NFL helmets really are. ... I think we will be glad this game will be played at the Linc. — Everett S.

Leave the egos in the locker room. This game is about TEAM. We know how good you are but no chirping at the opponent. Play hard, play clean. — Nick S.

Have any questions about the Birds ahead of the playoffs? Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane will answer them at 9 a.m. today in an AMA on Reddit. You can find it here.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, EJ Smith, Jeff Neiburg, Lochlahn March, Jackie Spiegel, Keith Pompey, Jonathan Tannenwald, Devin Jackson, and Avery Hill.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading. Bella will be at the newsletter controls on Wednesday. — Jim