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One of the best matchups of the early season is between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. This game is slated for primetime on Thursday night.
Through three weeks, the fortune of these teams were unexpected. The Packers have won their first three games and are playing outstanding defense. The Eagles have lost two of their first three games. No one saw this coming from a preseason Super Bowl contender out of the NFC.
These Thursday night games are hard to predict given that every team responds differently on a short week. Here are four reasons why the Eagles will march into Lambeau Field and take down the undefeated Packers.
4. Who Is the Better Team?
This is a hard sell considering the record, but the Eagles might be the better of these two teams. Coming into the season, the Eagles were viewed as a team that could win the NFC East and go on to win the conference. Carson Wentz entered the season healthy and ready to get back to MVP form.
Early on, there has been some adjusting. The Eagles lost their last two games by a combined seven points. They were one or two plays away from being 3-0. Going on the road and winning on Thursday night is never easy. Lambeau Field is going to be loud, but the Eagles are up for the task. This is a take saying the Eagles are not as bad as their record and the Packers may not be as good as their record.
3. Doug Pederson vs. Matt LaFleur
Doug Pederson was a hero in Philadelphia after leading the Eagles to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. He came dangerously close to going into New Orleans and beating the Saints in the 2018 NFC Divisional Round. He is a coach who knows how to win big games.
On the other side, Matt LaFleur is a coach who is entering his fourth game as a head coach. So far, his offense does not seem to be clicking. Pederson always has his team ready to play on Thursday nights. This is not an easy thing to do. Whether it is home or away, the Eagles usually show up on Thursday night.
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LaFleur is viewed as the next offensive genius in the NFL. Pederson has a great offensive mind of his own. This is a game where we might see the Super Bowl winning coach outsmart the rookie.
2. Eagles Getting Weapon Back
The Eagles' skill position players are top heavy. With Alshon Jeffery out of the lineup, they do not scare anyone. Luckily for Philly, Jeffrey will play against the Packers.
Nelson Agholor is not a No. 1 receiver. He had eight catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions, but his hands are inconsistent. Zach Ertz is not himself yet this season because opposing defenses have been taking him out of the game. Miles Sanders has been a pleasant surprise so far for the Eagles. With Jeffery back, that is another elite pass catcher that the Packers have to worry about.
The defense in Green Bay has been lights out through three games. Every weapon matters for the Eagles and Jeffrey is coming back right on time.
1. Early Must-Win Game
The Eagles did not expect to be 1-2 at this point in the season. On their upcoming schedule, they will face the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings. They could lose two out of three of those games. If they fall to the Packers, they have a chance to be 2-5 through seven games with the New England Patriots looming.
The Eagles will step on the field on Thursday night as the more desperate team. The Packers are in a tough division, but at 3-0, this is not a must-win game. The Eagles were expected to contend this season and the Cowboys are already two games up. They cannot afford to fall much further behind.
Sometimes desperation can be a big motivator for teams.
