Coming off a tough loss in Seattle, the Eagles are back at home and playing the Green Bay Packers under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. After one half, the Birds are struggling to keep up with the Packers' high-powered offense, trailing 14-10. Here's what we saw in the first 30 minutes of action:
What Worked
–Allen Barbre absolutely decleated Clay Matthews on a sweep by Bryce Treggs. The vicious block sprung the receiver for a first down.
-The Eagles first drive was a thing of beauty. They balanced five runs with six passes and everyone stepped up. Treggs got a first down on the ground, so did Darren Sproles, and Carson Wentz went a perfect 6-6 for 70 yards and capped the drive off with a five-yard touchdown run.
-Perhaps the biggest star of that opening drive was Dorial Green-Beckham who caught all four of his targets for 53 yards, three of which went for first downs. Green-Beckham has looked raw at his best and uninspired at his worst this year, but maybe tonight is when he starts to turn the corner.
–Jalen Mills has had his rough spots, but the rookie never gets down on himself and it's hard to believe the Eagles are getting this kind of production from a seventh-round pick. He may not be the most athletic corner, but Mills competes and he's been clearly better than Leodis McKelvin over the past few weeks.
-Gorgeous back-shoulder throw by Wentz to Jordan Matthews to get the Eagles out of the shadows of their own goal posts.
-Speaking of Wentz, he has done a good job of utilizing his legs today, picking up 26 yards on the ground. That's something we haven't seen a lot from the rookie, but it's just another weapon added to his every-growing arsenal.
What Didn't
-The Eagles defense really struggled with the Packers quick-strike passing game on the first drive of the game. Aaron Rodgers utilized quick screens and slants to combat the Eagles' pass rush and when Jim Schwartz tried to get creative with a stunt, Rodgers exploited it by escaping the pocket and running for a first down.
-It's clear the Eagles are trying to respect the Packers' deep passing game, but Rodgers is just shredding them with quick passes. The Eagles pass rush has been completely taken out of the game by Rodgers and it's up to the secondary to make sure Rodgers holds on to the ball for a bit longer so they can pressure him.
-The Eagles tried to run a play action jet sweep. It didn't go too well. Although, give credit to Wentz for digging the offense out of that second-and-24 hole and putting together a decent two-minute drive that resulted in a field goal opportunity.
Halftime Adjustment
Man, that Rodgers guy is good. Through one half, he has played as well as a quarterback can, making all of the throws and pressing all the right buttons before the snap. The Eagles need to come up with a new gameplan, but there's a chance Rodgers will already be a step ahead by the time he steps out of the tunnel. The Birds have their work cut out for them in the second half.
Second Half X-Factor: Fletcher Cox
The Eagles defense is struggling and it's clear the Birds' offense doesn't have the firepower to stay with the Packers in a shootout. The only shot they have is if Cox and the rest of his unit can get in Rodgers's face and force him into some bad throws.
