The Green Bay Packers have enjoyed a somewhat easy beginning to the season. The only real tests have been the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers are 1-1 in those two matchups and have had their bye week already. Their next real test? The Philadelphia Eagles.
2020 Green Bay Packers: The Last Playoff Test
What the Eagles Bring to the Table
The Green Bay Packers seem to be in a similar position as last season. Positive record to start the season, already had their bye and the Eagles are on the schedule. In Week 13, the Packers will deal with an exceedingly difficult Eagles team. Now, I know that the Eagles are 3-4-1 but they are trending upward. Carson Wentz in his last three games has thrown for six touchdowns and only three interceptions along with 695 passing yards. This Eagles team is getting healthier too. Rookie wide receiver, Jalen Reagor is back and healthy and star running back Miles Sanders should be back in a week or two. Wentz has found a gem in wide receiver Travis Fulgham, who has 435 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. The Eagles rank 17th in overall defense and ninth in total yards and fourth in passing defense. Aaron Rodgers is going to face an extremely tough secondary and a front seven from Philadelphia that is viciously physical.
How the Eagles and Packers Match Up
However, the Eagles do rank 24th in run defense and allow 4.4 yards per rush attempt. I do see the Packers running the ball a lot against the Eagles with a combined attack of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Opponents of the Eagles this season combined have totaled over 1,000 rushing yards. The ground game seems to be the Eagles’ weakness but if the Packers are not healthy at running back, they will be in for a fight. Darius Slay presents a tough matchup for Davante Adams in the passing game if they get into a shootout. With the Packers staying stagnant at the trade deadline for offensive weapons, they may be outmatched in this game against a cold-weather, physical defense. I do think the Packers have the better offense but if Miles Sanders is healthy, Philadelphia may run all over the Packers’ league-worst run defense.
Will the 2020 Green Bay Packers Go Far or Fall Short?
The Eagles will be the final test before the playoffs. They are first in their division and present a formidable offense to go toe to toe with the Packers and their defense will test them enough to see how truly ready the Packers are. If Green Bay stubs their toe in this game and loses big, a first-round exit in the playoffs will be the only thing in their sights. But if they win, they could legitimize themselves around the league and be ready for a deep playoff run.
