Winning huge games in the NFL postseason requires both game-changing players and top-tier players, and the Green Bay Packers missed their best in Sunday’s 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Running back Josh Jacobs was the lone star on a Packers team that ended the season with a disappointing three-game losing streak.
The Pro Bowl running back rushed 18 times for 81 yards and caught three passes on three targets for 40 yards for 121 yards on 21 touches. According to Pro Football Focus, Jacobs made 12 missed tackles and gained 74 yards after his first contact as a running back, and gained 34 more yards after the catch and forced two more missed tackles in the passing game.
Jacobs’ 31-yard run in the second half was an elite play that turned the game around and scored the Packers’ only touchdown.
But while Jacobs shone again, he was alone in this endeavor.
Quarterback Jordan Love threw three interceptions and completed only 3 of 10 passes thrown more than 10 yards in the air.
Left guard Elgton Jenkins gave up two tackles on the first three snaps and left the field after taking a demanding hit to the shoulder on the fourth snap.
None of the Packers receivers exceeded 50 receiving yards.
Right tackle Zach Tom gave up third down to Nolan Smith and allowed four total pressures for the second time in a game this season.
Defensive lineman Kenny Clark finished the game with one pressure and zero turnovers. Edge player Rashan Gary only had two, although he was ejected and drew a holding penalty.
All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney had no takeaways and didn’t catch the ball.
Two-time All-Pro returnee Keisean Nixon missed the first game and was assessed a key penalty in the fourth quarter.
Lukas Van Ness took 31 mostly empty snaps with no production in the first round of the 2023 draft.
2022 first-round draft pick Quay Walker had no tackles for loss or pass breakups.
2021 first-round draft pick Eric Stokes was on the field for one entire defensive snap.
Veteran kicker Brandon McManus missed a 38-yard field goal after shooting 20 of 21 during the regular season.
Jenkins, receivers Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, Walker and center Josh Myers all missed the game with injuries, further hampering the Packers’ ability to make decisive moments in the game.
The Packers’ passing attack, which was so reliant on explosive plays during the regular season, allowed just three plays of at least 20 yards and only one of more than 25 yards. The Packers’ defense, which relied on tackles and tackles during the regular season, produced no turnovers and had only two tackles for a loss. Special teams single-handedly gave the Eagles a 10-point lead after a lost fumble and a missed field goal.
It’s fair to wonder whether the Packers, in their current form, have enough difference-making players. Cornerback Jaire Alexander has an uncertain future in Green Bay, receiver Christian Watson is dealing with a grave knee injury and may not be ready to start the 2025 season, Clark just had the least productive season of his career, Gary hasn’t been a consistent difference-maker in the novel 4- 3 and none of the teenage players made a huge step forward in 2024.
There were so many moments on Sunday when the Packers needed a game-changing play, and they rarely got it.
General manager Brian Gutekunst will have plenty of cap space and roster stability in the offseason. Can he find a way to add 1-2 difference-makers – like he did last March with Jacobs and McKinney – and keep the Packers off balance? This is clearly a good team that may need further aggressive additions in the offseason to avoid a repeat of Sunday’s disappointment next January
