The NFL playoffs are where stars shine and legacies are cemented. Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, their 22-10 Wild Card defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles fell far short of legendary. The scene at Lincoln Financial Field was marked by missed opportunities, critical errors, and moments of mismanagement. Sure, the Packers’ season featured its fair share of ups and downs. That said, their playoff exit highlighted glaring deficiencies among both players and coaches.
The Packers' 2024 Season in Review
The 2024 Packers didn’t replicate the magic of their prior postseason, where they advanced to the Divisional Round as a No. 7 seed. Entering this year’s Wild Card matchup with the same seeding, the Packers faced daunting odds. Recall that quarterback Jordan Love was nursing a right elbow injury, and wide receiver Christian Watson was sidelined for the playoffs with a torn ACL. To make matters worse, they were up against a 14-3 Philadelphia Eagles squad. Philly was one of the NFL’s most well-rounded teams.
As a harbinger of things to come, Keisean Nixon fumbled the opening kickoff, handing the Eagles immediate momentum. Despite a commendable effort from the Packers’ defense to limit the damage, self-inflicted mistakes ultimately sealed their fate.
Here we'll look at the Green Bay Packers players who are most to blame for their Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Love
It was a tough outing for Love. Yes, his season had been hindered by injuries. However, fans still hoped for a repeat of his playoff heroics from the previous year. Unfortunately, this time around, Love failed to deliver.
His turnovers proved costly, with Love throwing three picks. In the second quarter, a deep pass intended for Dontayvion Wicks ended up intercepted by cornerback Darius Slay. Later, Love threw another interception to Eagles linebacker Zach Baun. The third came during Green Bay’s final offensive drive. That's where Love’s attempt to find the end zone was intercepted by rookie Quinyon Mitchell.
Love’s decision-making left much to be desired. He missed key opportunities, including an open Tucker Kraft in the end zone during the first half. He did complete 20 of 33 passes for 212 yards. However, he had no touchdowns, and his performance fell short of what the Packers needed to advance. With the team relying on him to lead, his struggles were a significant factor in their early playoff exit.
Matt LaFleur
Of course, head coach Matt LaFleur inevitably faces scrutiny. His decisions during the Wild Card game drawing widespread criticism. It seems that the Packers’ play-calling lacked urgency, particularly in critical moments. Trailing 19-10 with over seven minutes remaining, the team managed just five plays in a two-and-a-half-minute span. These culminated in a turnover on downs after Love’s overthrow to Malik Heath. Earlier, on the opening drive of the second half, the offense stalled inside the 10-yard line. They settled for a field goal instead of a touchdown.
Yes, the Packers dealt with injuries throughout the game. However, LaFleur’s conservative approach and questionable game management failed to inspire a comeback. In the high-pressure world of the NFL playoffs, his inability to adjust proved costly.
Keisean Nixon
As one of the Packers’ most dynamic players, Keisean Nixon’s rough start to the game was a bitter pill to swallow. As we already mentioned, on the opening kickoff, Nixon fumbled. This gifted the Eagles prime field position and an early 7-0 lead. This misstep set a negative tone that Green Bay struggled to overcome.
Take note that Nixon has been a confident and exciting presence throughout the season. In this game, though, his mistake in this critical moment highlighted the fine line between boldness and recklessness. Yes, his regular-season contributions shouldn’t be overlooked. That said, the fumble was a costly error that played a key role in the Packers’ defeat.

Offensive Line Struggles
The Packers’ offensive line had one of its worst performances of the season. To be specific, Zach Tom and Travis Glover both struggled mightily against the Eagles’ formidable pass rush. Tom, typically a reliable presence, allowed a crucial sack to Nolan Smith on 3rd-and-3 in the first quarter. That stalled a promising drive. His struggles continued throughout the game, leaving Love under constant pressure.
The situation worsened after Elgton Jenkins exited with an injury. This forced rookie Travis Glover into action. Glover’s inexperience showed. He was flagged for holding twice within three plays, further stalling the Packers’ offensive rhythm.
Green Bay’s inability to protect Love and establish a consistent offensive flow was a major factor in their defeat. For a team hoping to contend, such lapses in execution are unacceptable in postseason play.
The Road Ahead
The Packers face a pivotal offseason as they look to bounce back from this disappointing playoff exit. Sure, they possess a young core and a dedicated fan base. However, potential alone will not be enough to compete at the highest level. Improvements in quarterback play, coaching strategy, and offensive line consistency are essential for Green Bay to take the next step.
The 22-10 loss to the Eagles serves as a sobering reminder of the NFL’s unforgiving nature. For Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur, Keisean Nixon, and the offensive line, this game will remain a stark example of the challenges and expectations that come with competing in January. Whether they rise to the occasion or falter again will determine the Packers’ future trajectory.