Writer: Kevin Durso

Game Preview: Packers present test for Eagles

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published16 Nov 2014

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Just six days aftrer handily beating the Panthers, the Eagles must tame a much bigger beast.

The Green Bay Packers play host to the Eagles in Week 11, in a game where a lot of playoff implications are at stake. One of those implications is the Eagles sole possession of first place. With a loss, they drop into a tie with the idle Cowboys.

Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. from Lambeau Field.

The Eagles are coming off a dominant 45-21 win over the Panthers where Mark Sanchez shined and Jordan Matthews had a career game.

Matthews, Jeremy Maclin and Zach Ertz look to continue their success against the Packers defense.

The Eagles will also look for big games from LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles. The Packers run defense ranks 30th in the NFL, allowing 142.6 yards per game to opposing backs.

The Eagles defense is led by Connor Barwin, Mychal Kendricks and Trent Cole – three linebackers who had their way with the Panthers last week. 

The Packers are led by Aaron Rodgers, who has 2,407 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season with just three interceptions.

Rodgers top targets are Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. Nelson has 889 yards and eight touchdowns. Cobb has 650 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Eddie Lacy leads the running game. He has 478 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, the Packers will try to stop the Eagles high-powered offense with Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk and Julius Peppers. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the rookie in the secondary, will be one of the players to watch on the Eagles receivers.

Hawk leads the team with 65 tackles. Peppers has a team-leading five sacks. Matthews has 29 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks on the season.

Game Notes

  • The Eagles are 16-26 all-time agaisnt the Packers. They are 5-8 at Lambeau Field. 
  • The Eagles have won six of the last 10 games against the Packers, including a Nov. 10, 2013 game in Green Bay, 27-13.
  • The Eagles have won three of the last four matches against the Panthers, falling 30-22 in 2010, but picking up wins in 2004, 2006 and 2009.
  • The Eagles have nine touchdowns on defense or special teams this season, a new franchise record. The NFL record is 13.
  • Milestone Watch
    • LeSean McCoy needs five catches to move into 12th place in franchise history.
    • Jeremy Maclin needs one touchdown to move into sole possession of seventh place all-time in Eagles history with 35 career touchdowns. Maclin is also six catches shy of moving into ninth place all-time in receptions. 
    • With one field goal of 50 yards or more, Cody Parkey will become the first Eagle in franchise history with four field goals of 50 or more yards in a single season.

Injury Report

Eagles
Out

  • QB Nick Foles (collarbone)

Probable

  • TE Brent Celek (ankle)
  • CB Bradley Fletcher (shoulder)
  • LB Mychal Kendricks (calf)
  • WR Jeff Maehl (foot)

Packers
Out

  • TE Brandon Bostick (hip)
  • LB Jayrone Elliott (hamstring)

Probable

  • G Thomas Lang (ankle)
  • G Josh Sitton (toe)

Where to Watch

TV: FOX (Broadcasters: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Sports USA (Adam Amin, Doug Plank, Samy Panayotovich)

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.