The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a rough start. After suffering losses to the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions, Philly's Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers is a must-win game. It may sound like a long shot, but if the following three x-factors come through, the Birds will have a good shot of taking home a win.
1) Improved Play From the Receiving Corps
This one was an absolute no-brainer. The Eagles were without both DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery during their Week 3 tilt against the Lions. As a result, there was a total of eight dropped passes, and rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside had a potentially game-winning catch slip through his fingers. There is good news for Philly, as Jeffery is active for Thursday night. Jeffery will likely draw star cornerback Jaire Alexander, which gives everyone else on the Eagles a much easier matchup. However, if the receivers play like they did against Detroit, there's no doubt that the Eagles will lose. Green Bay has a far better defense than Detroit, and the Eagles need to take advantage of every opportunity they get.
2) The Secondary Steps Up Against Aaron Rodgers
Playing against Aaron Rodgers is never an easy task for any team, much less a team missing their top cornerback. Ronald Darby is inactive, so the next man up will have to play well. Rasul Douglas seems set to take Darby's place, and he won't have an easy time. Douglas will have to go toe-to-toe with Davante Adams, one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL. The rest of the Packers wideouts are not nearly as intimidating. Expect Rodgers to target Douglas early and often, especially if he has to guard Adams in one-on-one coverage.
3) Pass Protection
The Eagles haven't had many issues with their offensive line in recent years, as it's one of the strongest units in the league. The Packers could give them some trouble, as they have a stable of strong pass-rushers. The Pack is led by Za'Darius Smith, a high priced free-agent acquisition. Smith has been nothing short of spectacular during his brief tenure in Green Bay. He already has three sacks in three games. Philly right tackle Lane Johnson will draw Smith plenty of times in one-on-one pass protection situations, and it's a must-win matchup. If quarterback Carson Wentz is under siege throughout the game, the Eagles will be handed their third loss in three weeks.
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