Even amorphous, the Eagles win

It wasn’t the most impressive victory, but there are no points given for style on a football field and the Eagles showed against the Packers that they can win even on an ordinary day at the office.

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In Philadelphia, in front of a crowd that really seemed to want more, the Eagles eliminated the Packers by a score of 22 to 10, in a close game, but one that they could have won with their hands behind their back by playing more efficiently.

They ended up wearing down their rivals to advance to the second round next week.

It was only the third game this season that they won by scoring 22 points or less. Their total haul of 290 yards was their third lowest.

But we’re talking about football here. Not from a judged sport like figure skating or synchronized swimming. The result is what it is and no one can doubt it.

A not very opportunistic attack

The fact remains that even though the Eagles controlled the game, their offense almost wasted a superb performance from the defense.

The team started the game by forcing a fumble on the kickoff, on a strange sequence. For one, helmet-to-helmet contact was never called. On the other hand, the video replay seemed to show that returner Keisean Nixon had clearly recovered the ball on the ground before having it taken away in the crush. Strange start to the match…

Three plays later, quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with Jahan Dotson in the end zone for the first touchdown of the game, which ultimately proved critical.

Throughout the first half, the Packers were incapable of any form of offense. Their longest offensive sequence only allowed them to pass 37 small yards.

And despite two interceptions by the Eagles defense at the expense of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, the attack only scored three points. At halftime, therefore, it was 10 to 0, even if everyone watching the match had the feeling of witnessing a massacre.

In the second half, the two teams traded touchdowns and the Eagles added two more field goals from Jake Elliott.

Hats off to the defense

Ultimately, the Packers got more first downs and gained more yards, but the Eagles defense held up in key moments.

The Eagles’ offense was able to establish itself well on rare long stretches, but it only scored one touchdown in four appearances in the pay zone, leaving a lot of points on the field.

Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes, but the air attack only generated 121 yards. Only one offensive series passed more than 60 yards.

In short, nothing spectacular on any level. Probably everywhere else, we would rejoice at a victory in an elimination duel, but Philadelphia being Philadelphia, it risks screaming…

Still, the defense really did the job to slow down an attack that has scored at least 30 points in five of its last seven games. It must be said that along the way, the Packers saw receivers Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed leave the game due to injuries, which complicated any chance of a comeback.

Against an opponent who would have had a great match, the Eagles would probably find themselves on forced rest. But now that the regular match is out of their system and they are moving on, there is reason to fear them.

If the Eagles win a playoff game by 12 points on a so-so day, they can be terrifying on a good day. That’s the moral of the story…

THE 3 STARS OF THE MATCH

Saquon Barkley

The Eagles’ running back, leader of the league this season in rushing yards, was like the rest of the team. Not spectacular, but effective, with 119 yards rushing on 25 carries. Yards hard won…

Nolan Smith Jr

Late first round pick Nolan Smith Jr. was, in our humble opinion, the best player on the field. The outside linebacker shined with eight tackles, including two sacks, with five pressures on quarterback Jordan Love. A star in the making?

Josh Jacobs

Honorable mention to Packers running back Josh Jacobs in the loss. With three interceptions from his quarterback, he found himself alone carrying the attack and he still gained 121 total yards with a touchdown. He was the only spark plug for the losers.