Eagles' Defense Shines in Win Over Packers: Highlights and Reactions

Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the first half in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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The Eagles' 22-10 over the Packers on Sunday had something for everyone.

For the worriers? Jalen Hurts completed just 13 of 21 passes for 131 yards. A.J.Brown caught exactly one ball--for ten yards--and was spotted reading a book on the sidelines. And despite a Packers fumble on the opening kickoff and a +4 turnover margin, the Birds let the Packers hang around until late in the game.

For the optimists? The Birds' defense held an offense that averaged 27.1 points per game in the regular season to just ten points. The Eagles forced those four turnovers. The offense protected the ball, Hurts threw two touchdowns, and the team averaged 5 yards per carry en route to 169 rushing yards.

First things first. The best defense in the NFL looked like exactly that:

The Eagles set the tone for a physical game early. On the very first play, in fact.

Hurts immediately cashed in with a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson.

Credit for Hurts' other touchdown pass goes to a pure bully effort from Dallas Goedert.

Goedert's touchdown will probably be the enduring images of this Eagles playoff win. But if Hurts landed this pass on the fake tush push, the play would have been legendary:

Certain gamblers may also have this image embedded in their brain for a bit:

In the end? All that matters is that the Eagles survived and advanced. Two more wins will put them in the Super Bowl.


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John Foley

Before joining OnPattison.com, John Foley was a Phillies beat writer for PHLY Sports and the founder of a popular independent Phillies newsletter. He has provided nontraditional local sports coverage since 2013. Foley grew up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. He's a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system, a Penn State grad, and a Georgetown Law alum. A licensed attorney, he sits on the board of the Papermill Food Hub, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping families in need throughout the city. Find him on your favorite social media: @2008philz.