The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, somehow working their way to a 22-10 victory.
The Eagles had four field goals in the drive but converted just one of them into points — a Packers fumble on the opening kickoff helping set up a Jalen Dotson to Jahan Dotson pass three plays later.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw two poor interceptions in the second quarter, while Brandon McManus also missed a fairly straightforward 38-yard field goal attempt for Green Bay.
Somehow, despite such glaring mistakes, the Packers trailed by just 10 at the half as a rusty Eagles offense — Saquon Barkley aside — failed to turn their dominance into a bigger advantage on the scoreboard.
Green Bay threatened to rally at points in the second half, but lost multiple offensive weapons to injury and their challenge quickly faded as a result, Philadelphia assured a tie at home in the Divisional Round next weekend.
Their opponents will either be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or one of the Los Angeles Rams or Minnesota Vikings if the Bucs lose at home to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.
The Rams’ meeting with the Vikings wraps up Wild Card weekend on Monday night, live on Sky Sports NFL from 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
NFL live
Tuesday January 14 at 01:00
Statistics managers
Green Bay Packers
- Passage: Jordan Love, 20/33, 212 yards, 3 INTs
- In a hurry: Josh Jacobs, 18 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
- Taking: Jayden Reed, 4 catches, 46 yards
Philadelphia Eagles
- Passage: Jalen Hurts, 13/21, 131 yards, 2 TDs
- In a hurry: Saquon Barkley, 25, 119 yards
- Taking: DeVonta Smith, 4 catches, 55 yards
The Packers finally put their first points on the board on their opening drive of the second half, McManus this time successfully firing through the posts from 26 yards out.
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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert scored a touchdown after picking off a Green Bay Packers defender with not one, but two stiff arms.
Philadelphia answered right back, reasserting its dominance as Dallas Goedert rough-armed Green Bay cornerback Carrington Valentine not once, but twice on his way to the end zone for a 24-yard TD.
Josh Jacobs answered Goedert’s challenge with a furious run of his own to end the third quarter, the Packers running mowing down several Eagles defenders for a 32-yard drive that set up his own goal-line score to start the fourth.
At that stage, it looked as if the game might spark into life, with Green Bay trailing by just six, but with Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs at the other end in the middle of the game – added to the already absent Christian Watson from the receiving corps. the thrilling finale failed to ignite.
The Eagles easily pulled away from their opponents with a pair of field goals by Jake Elliott, before the contest ended with Love’s third interception late in the game as the Packers’ desperation mounted.
Summary of points
How do you beat Barkley?
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley: A year ago, when I was sitting on the couch, I tweeted that I should be back playing playoff football, so I’m happy to be here and shout out to my teammates.
“The most important thing in the playoffs is to win and advance – no matter what it looks like. There are some things we can work on and improve.”
Sky Sports NFL’s Jason Bell: “It was competitive, both defenses showed up, but it was about turnovers — they were key, especially in a tight game like ours.
“He (Barkley) deserves it, he’s that offense, he gives them juice, he gives them life. They understand that for them to get to the Super Bowl is on Saquon — how do you beat them when he’s rolling?”
Ndamukong Suh of Sky Sports NFL: “That’s why I came back to play football with Philly in 2022, there was an opportunity to go back to the big dance and enjoy those moments. That’s what you play the game for, to play in these big games.”
Sky Sports NFL’s Phoebe Schecter: “The turnovers, the penalties, the downs all over the board, you could see why (Packers head coach) Matt LaFleur was so frustrated with the team at the end. The Packers were so close the whole time, but it was who makes the fewest mistakes in this situation”.
What next?
In the divisional round, the Eagles will host either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or one of the Los Angeles Rams or Minnesota Vikings if the Bucs lose at home to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.
Wild Card Weekend concludes Monday night when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Rams at 1 a.m. in the early hours of Tuesday.
Super Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.
