In their season opener on Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense demonstrated promising signs despite a 34-29 win against the Green Bay Packers at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had anticipated learning more about his defense’s capabilities from this matchup, and while the unit allowed 414 total yards and several points, they showcased their potential.
The defense made a notable impact early in the game, limiting the Packers to only two field goals despite two turnovers deep in their own territory. The Eagles were able to keep the score at 6-0 by the end of the first quarter, showing resilience despite the offense’s struggles.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni praised the defense’s performance, saying, “To play as poorly as we did offensively and only be down 6-0 at the end of the first quarter is impressive. Hats off to the defense.”
In the second half, the Eagles’ defense tightened up, allowing just 10 points. Safety Reed Blankenship’s third-quarter interception set up a crucial touchdown run by Saquon Barkley, giving the Eagles a 31-26 lead.
However, the Packers made a late push with a 10-play drive in the fourth quarter that ended with a field goal, narrowing the score to 31-29. With just 22 seconds left and needing a touchdown, the Packers’ drive was stymied by Philadelphia’s defense, securing the victory.
Despite the strong showing, there are areas for improvement. The Eagles need to address issues such as limiting explosive plays and increasing pressure on the quarterback. Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed exploited these weaknesses with a 33-yard and a 70-yard touchdown, but overall, the Eagles managed to contain Green Bay’s passing game.
Quarterback Jordan Love completed 17 of 34 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game with a leg injury. The Eagles’ pass rush, featuring Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, and Nolan Smith, managed only two sacks, indicating a need for more consistent pressure.
The run defense also struggled, allowing 7.8 yards per carry and a total of 163 rushing yards. As the season progresses, improving in these areas will be crucial for the Eagles.
Linebacker Zack Baun, who joined the team on a one-year deal this offseason, led the defense with 15 tackles and two sacks, while rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell contributed with two pass breakups and solid coverage. Sirianni praised Mitchell’s performance, noting, “The moment is never too big for Q. He’s not fazed by the competition.”
The Eagles will face the Atlanta Falcons next Monday, providing another opportunity for Fangio to gauge his defense’s progress against key players like quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Bijan Robinson.