Packers Wire Personnel Predictions Sections: Week 1 vs. Eagles

The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their 2024 season in Brazil on Friday night. The international matchup — the first regular-season game ever played in South America — will be available exclusively on the Peacock streaming service.

Here’s what Packers Wire thinks the Week 11 clash with the Eagles will look like:

Zach Kruse: Packers 27, Eagles 23 (0-0)

The NFC battle of contenders heading into the 2023 season was headed in polar opposite directions. The Packers need to prove they can handle the Eagles at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the field, but the matchup between Jordan Love’s passing game and the Eagles’ defense — which is rife with question marks — could tip the scales in Green Bay’s favor. Wouldn’t it be crazy if Xavier McKinney followed Adrian Amos’ example and threw a game-winning interception in his first game as a Packer?

Brandon Carwile: Packers 21, Eagles 17 (0-0)

The Eagles are coming off a 1-6 record in 2023, capped by a playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But with the addition of Saquon Barkley and changes at offensive and defensive coordinator, they’re looking to regain their status as contenders. Meanwhile, the Packers are looking to build on last year’s success, when they were the youngest team in the NFL and still managed to win a playoff game (almost two). Jordan Love returns with his talented group of adolescent pass-catchers, and Josh Jacobs steps in as the modern starting quarterback. Against a defense coached by Vic Fangio, I don’t expect to see huge numbers from Love, but I do expect a lot of Jacobs, who should play a massive role in the game plan. This will likely be a close, low-scoring game as the Eagles adjust to their modern offensive system and the Packers face a well-coached defense. Ultimately, I think the Packers will make enough plays to secure a win.

Brennen Rupp: Eagles 27, Packers 24 (0-0)

I predict the Packers will win 13 games but lose the season opener. There are too many questions for the Packers in what I expect to be a close battle with the Eagles. Will the run defense under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley be able to sluggish down Saquon Barkley? Will Eric Stokes be able to handle his matchup with Devonta Smith or AJ Brown? Will Josh Myers be able to handle Philadelphia’s star interior defensive line? In a matchup between the top two teams in the NFC, I’ll give the Eagles a slight edge.

Greg Williams: Packers 27, Eagles 24 (0-0)

Entering Week 1, both the Packers and Eagles have striking similarities, making this matchup a compelling start to the season. Both teams have hired modern defensive coordinators, with the Packers hiring Jeff Hafley and the Eagles turning to the experienced Vic Fangio. On offense, both teams have added superstar running backs to bolster their ground game — Josh Jacobs for the Packers and Saquon Barkley for the Eagles. Finally, both franchises are set for a Super Bowl run, and this matchup could set the tone for their season.

The Packers could be leaning heavily on Jacobs in his debut, especially since the Eagles defense ranks in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game. A vast dose of Jacobs could wear down the Eagles defense and create favorable passing opportunities for Jordan Love and the passing game. The Eagles will be without several familiar faces, as Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Kevin Byard and Avonte Maddox are no longer with the team, and modern linebacker Devin White was ruled out for Friday’s game.
There are a lot of things that are favorable to the Packers; however, this will be Hafley’s first game as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, and playing against the Eagles offense won’t be straightforward. I expect this to be a back-and-forth game, and I could see the Packers defense on the field for the final drive. It would be something if Hafley’s defense got a game-ending turnover early in the season.