Spadaro: 7 Packers-Eagles storylines to follow
There isn't enough room to list all of the storylines for the 2024 regular-season opener, but let's give it a try.
The Eagles are making history in Brazil, the NFL's first game in South America, and beyond all the hype and the Friday night lights and all of the pomp and circumstance, there is a football game to win. And the opponent, the Green Bay Packers, is a legitimate Super Bowl-contending team with a rising star in Jordan Love at quarterback and a plethora of weapons as his supporting cast.
Game 1 is a banger, as the kids say.
The teams are settled in, they've gotten accustomed to the surroundings at Arena Corinthians, and they will be ready to go for the unusual kickoff time (Friday, 9:15 PM Brazil time/8:15 in Philadelphia). And with that, some storylines for you to digest ...
The Eagles didn't play their starting offense in the preseason games, feeling like that group had plenty of quality reps in practice against the Eagles' defense and in the joint practice with New England. So, there is a lot of "unknown" here with Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore providing the first real glimpse of what this offense is going to be about. The idea is to be a multi-faceted, attack-weaknesses, win-in-a-lot-of-different ways offense and the Eagles certainly appear to have the depth of talent across the offensive board to play that way. It is going to be really, really interesting to see how it all works out in the opener. Head Coach Nick Sirianni is 3-0 in openers, and the offense performed well in all three of those games. This game won't answer every question, of course, but it will provide some concrete evidence of what Moore's approach will be this season.
Green Bay is loaded on offense. Jordan Love is a rising star at quarterback, his receiving corps – led by Christian Watson – is outstanding, and free agent-signee Josh Jacobs is a versatile, game-breaking running back. The Packers have a good offensive line, a sound scheme, and they should have one of the top offenses in the NFL this season.
What does Fangio do to counter the Packers' power?
Again, we just don't know.
The defense played well in the preseason, and the starters saw enough action together for Fangio to have a taste of what he has. But a lot of this in the early season is Fangio learning what his players can and cannot do, so expect him to continue to move players on and off the field. Fangio has said he will blitz when the time is right and he will not when the time isn't right. He doesn't want to "need" to blitz, which means the Eagles have to do a sound job on first and second down and then get after it on third down with a four- and five-man pass rush.
This is going to be truly fascinating: A great offense against a rebuilt defense headed by one of the great defensive minds in the history of the NFL.
What did we learn last night from the Baltimore at Kansas City game? Kansas City played keep-away, allowing the Ravens to start at the 30-yard line after each of the six touchbacks. The Chiefs returned two of Baltimore's offerings, but neither went beyond the 31-yard line. That could be a preview of what's to come, but, honestly, it is hard to make any statements about what is going to happen. As Eagles Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay said this week, it is truly "unchartered waters." And that's the truth.
No question it is a storyline. And all eyes will be on No. 26, who can win against any defense in any way. Do the Eagles want Barkley to attack between the tackles? Is he going to run behind those huge offensive tackles on the edge? Will he be displaced in the formation and attack the Green Bay linebackers in the passing game? Stay tuned. We know you will watch every bit of it.
The Packers are really good along their front four, led by defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who is going to be a challenge. Philadelphia has a new-look offensive line with Cam Jurgens making his starting debut at center. Green Bay has depth and energy up front. The Packers are expected to be an attacking defense under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. This will be a game of adjustments. Jeff Stoutland is born for these kinds of games and the fact that there is so much continuity up front for the Eagles – remember, Jurgens started last season at right guard – is a comforting aspect here. As much as people have talked about the Eagles not playing their offensive starters in the preseason, Green Bay's defensive starters played for fewer than 10 snaps, so there are questions there, too.
First-round draft pick Quinyon Mitchell is going to play, and as Fangio said earlier this week, he could have a very significant role at cornerback. Cooper DeJean? We don't know but he's ramping up his preparation and the Eagles envision him having a role this season, but how much can he provide in the opener after missing so much time in the summer? Jeremiah Trotter Jr. could be part of the linebacker picture with Devin White back in Philadelphia with an ankle injury. Mitchell is the one to watch. He has been impressive.
This is a setting made for stars and both Hurts and Love are stars. They are going to have to be on the same page with the coaches and their supporting casts and even improvise when needed, but this is an amazing perch for both players: It is the second game of the NFL season, the only one on Friday night, and the first of its kind in South America. What a way to start the season!
