Packers vs Eagles Week Four Preview

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2172 days ago

Week four of the 2019 NFL season opens with a Thursday night matchup between the Green Bay Packers vs the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers have started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2015. Throwing for 235 yards and just one touchdown, it was Aaron Rodgers third straight pedestrian game. Roles are reversed as it is now Rodgers who needs to step up to take some pressure off of the defense. The defense has continued to be absolutely stellar, finishing with three turnovers and six sacks. Green Bay’s defense has 12 sacks, eight turnovers, and 35 total points allowed (11.6 points per game) on the season. With the Eagles 29th ranked passing defense coming to Lambeau, Rodgers should be able to take advantage and post his best game of the season.

How Are Their Seasons Going?

Philadelphia has started the season 1-2, coming off a home loss to the Detriot Lions. Starting defensive players Ronald Darby, Tim Jernigan, Malik Jackson, and Derek Barnett are all expected to miss the game. On the offensive side, receivers Desean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey, Nelson Agholor, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside are all dealing with injuries. Although their rushing offense has been very weak (3.7 YPC), they should get most of their receivers back for this week. The defense is still a dominate rushing defense so they can make things hard on opposing offenses.

Key Matchups

Aaron Rodgers vs The Eagles Secondary

Although Rodgers hasn’t been bad, he hasn’t been the same guy we’re used to seeing. Averaging just 215.7 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game, he has not been very efficient this season. A primetime game at home against a banged up Eagles secondary may be the remedy he needs to get back on track.

Kevin King vs Alshon Jeffery

When healthy, Kevin King is a very good corner. Last week though, Cortland Sutton had his number and made him look bad. This Thursday, he’ll be lined up against Jeffrey and will need to hold his own when facing the aggressive and strong receiver. Shutting down Jeffrey will go a long way in shutting down the offense as a whole.

Aaron Jones vs Fletcher Cox

Although he doesn’t have a sack yet, Fletcher Cox is one of the most dominate defensive tackles in the league. Aaron Jones struggled to find running room vs the Broncos, averaging only 1.9 YPC. His awareness will need to be on point in order to maneuver around against Cox and the second ranked rushing defense.

Blake Martinez vs Philadelphia Running Backs

Green Bay has allowed 347 yards rushing over the last two games after only 46 in week one. With Martinez in the middle of the defense, he’ll be a key in stopping Philly from running like crazy. Luckily, the Eagles are only averaging 3.7 YPC, so it isn’t a tall task. Slowing down the run is important in making the Eagles one-dimensional.

Prediction

Coming into Lambeau is a tough task on its own. Throw in a severely injured team and a prime time matchup, there is a lot going against the Eagles. With that said, you can’t automatically count them out when Carson Wentz is leading the way. The game may be tight in the beginning, but Green Bay has too much offensive talent to not dismantle the Eagles defense. If the offensive line can keep Rodgers off the ground, and the defense continues to dominate, this game may not be very close. Packers will win 31-20.

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