Eagles survive Packers as defense dominates and Sirianni tests fate late
The Eagles escaped Lambeau Field with a 10-7 win on Monday night, in a game that was ugly, gritty, and nerve-wracking to the final second.
It was a night defined by a dominant defensive effort and some head-scratching late-game decisions from Nick Sirianni that nearly gave the Packers life.
Philadelphia’s defense completely took over from the opening kickoff. Green Bay didn’t score for 54 minutes, and when it mattered most, the Eagles slammed the door shut. Jaelan Phillips, making his debut after last week’s trade from Miami, made a game-saving stop on Josh Jacobs on fourth down in the final minutes.
Jordan Love was under constant pressure all night, finishing 20 of 36 for 176 yards and no touchdowns. The Packers never reached the red zone until late in the fourth quarter, and even then, they were lucky to put seven points on the board.
The first half was a defensive slugfest. It marked the first 0-0 halftime score on Monday Night Football since 2009. Both teams traded turnovers, with Jalen Hurts fumbling inside the red zone and Nakobe Dean forcing one of his own to swing momentum back in Philly’s favor.
The scoring drought finally broke in the third quarter when Jake Elliott knocked through a field goal for a 3-0 lead. Early in the fourth, Saquon Barkley jump-started the offense with a ridiculous 41-yard catch and run on third down.
The very next play, Hurts hit DeVonta Smith on a perfect 36-yard strike over safety Evan Williams for the game’s only touchdown.
That made it 10-0 and looked like the knockout punch.
Green Bay fought back. Josh Jacobs powered in a 6-yard touchdown with under six minutes left, cutting the lead to 10-7. The Eagles needed one more drive to ice it, and Hurts delivered a clutch throw to Smith on third-and-12 to keep the clock running.
Then came the drama.
With under a minute left and the ball on Green Bay’s 35, Sirianni decided to go for it on fourth down instead of punting. Hurts launched a deep pass toward A.J. Brown in double coverage that fell incomplete, giving the Packers the ball near midfield with 30 seconds remaining.
That reckless call nearly cost them when Brandon McManus trotted out for a 64-yard field goal try. Fortunately for Philly, McManus unleashed one of the worst kicks of all time. It was a complete shank that wasn’t even close.
Brandon McManus just gave the Packers the worst game-tying field goal attempt in NFL history
The Eagles’ defense deserves every bit of credit.
Phillips looked like a star in his first game with the team. Nolan Smith, back from injury, added a sack and consistent pressure.
Reed Blankenship had his best game of the season. Cooper DeJean, Jalyx Hunt, and Nakobe Dean were flying all over the field. Lane Johnson even returned to the game after being carted off with an ankle injury, a testament to his toughness and leadership.
Offensively, it was a grind.
Hurts finished with modest numbers, but he made the few plays that mattered. Barkley’s spark and Smith’s reliability carried the team when nothing else worked.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly the kind of game championship teams find a way to win. The Eagles are now 7-2, with three straight wins coming out of their bye week, and remain in control of the NFC East.
Final score: Eagles 10, Packers 7.
No style points, just survival and a reminder that Philly’s defense is still one of the best in football.
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