"Love Hurts:" QB injury statuses take focus ahead of Packers/Eagles Wildcard matchup
Jan 09, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. (WFRV) - As the #7 seeded Green Bay Packers and the #2 seeded Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their Wildcard matchup on Sunday, much of the focus ahead of the game has been on the health of both starting quarterbacks.
The Green Bay Packers will enter Sunday's game finishing with an 11-6 overall record and a surprising 1-5 division record following a stunning 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears, a game in which Jordan Love exited early with an apparent elbow injury.
As of now, Love's status for Sunday remains questionable with the quarterback being listed as a limited participant on the Packers' initial injury report.
On the other side of things, as of Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the quarterback of the 14-3 Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts, was still in concussion protocol following a hit he took in the Birds' Week 16 Matchup with the Washington Commanders.
Hurts missed both the Eagles' Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys and the Week 18 matchup with the Giants due to the injury, but the Philadelphia offense didn't miss a beat as they easily took care of Dallas and handled New York to enter the playoffs on a two-game winning streak.
Hurts has since been listed as a limited participant following Wednesday's practice leaving his status at this point as also questionable.
Though much of the focus this week will be on the health of both starting quarterbacks, there is much more to get into as the Packers and Eagles prepare for a playoff battle in a rematch of the Week 1 matchup in Brazil.
Digital Exclusive: Preview of Packers-Eagles playoff matchup
✍️ Game Information
Pre-game of Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles on November 27, 2022.
Matchup: #7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaTime: Sunday, January 12, 2025, 3:30 p.m. CSTSpread & O/U: -4.5 PHI, U/O 45.5Projected Weather: 35 °F, Clear (As of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday)
📊 Statistics
Green Bay Packers' back Paul Hornung (5) picks up a couple of yards in first period action against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Pa. Franklin Field, Dec. 25, 1960. Teamate-guard Fred Thurston (63) is sent flying by Eagles back Jim Carr (21). (AP photo)
All-Time against Eagles: 28-19 (Dates back to 1933)All-time playoffs against Eagles: 1-2 (Dates back to 1960)Last game against Eagles: 34-29 PHI (09/06/2024 In Brazil)Last ten games against Eagles: 6-4 (Dates back to 09/09/2007)Last playoff game against Eagles: 21-16 GB (01/09/2011)
🎟️ Ticket Prices – Including Fees
Cheapest 2 Tickets$233 Per TicketCheapest 4 Tickets$241 Per TicketMost Expensive 2 Tickets$1,962 Per TicketMost Expensive 4 Tickets$2,247 Per TicketTicket prices taken from SeatGeek.com as of Jan. 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
🔎 Players to Watch
LB Edgerrin Cooper
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) reacts against the Arizona Cardinals during a NFL game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers' Edgerrin Cooper intercepts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Assuming Jalen Hurts is healthy enough to start on Sunday, keeping him and running back Saquon Barkley contained is the key to any potential Packers victory. In two out of the three losses the Eagles suffered throughout the regular season, Barkley was held to under 100 yards rushing and Hurts was hit or sacked at least five times.
In the Week 1 matchup between the Packers and Eagles, Green Bay's rookie linebacker, Edgerrin Cooper, saw just 11 defensive snaps. Since then Cooper has turned himself into a star on defense by having a nose for the football as, despite missing three games due to injury, he finished the season with 87 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception all while earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
Cooper's size, speed, and athleticism will allow the Packers to use him in multiple blitz packages throughout the game as well as using him as a run stuffer and a potential spy on Jalen Hurts in case he decides to try and take off. Fans should expect to hear 56's name called a lot on Sunday as he could be gearing up to have a 2010 Clay Matthews-esque type game.
PREDICTION: Cooper continues to cement his name as one of the rising defensive stars across the league. He finishes Sunday's game playing 95+5 of the total defensive snaps while recording 9, tackles, 2 quarterback hits, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and forces 1 fumble.
RB Saquon Barkley
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
In his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Saquon Barkley came just 101 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's 1984 record for most rushing yards in a single season. Barkley, who was held out of the Eagles season finale against the Giants, finished the year with 2005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 carries. He also made an impact in the passing game where he recorded 278 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 33 receptions.
Barkley is a dual-threat running back who can hurt a defense both in the air and on the ground. He makes explosive plays and can take it to the house any time the ball winds up in his hands.
In the week one matchup against Green Bay, Barkley was key to victory putting up 109 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. With the Eagles leading the NFL in rushing attempts this season, the Packers, surprisingly top 10 rushing defense, can expect Barkley to be heavily involved in the Eagles game plan from start to finish.
PREDICTION: Barkley is bottled up early as the teams feel each other out. Eventually, he takes over the game late finishing with 120+ rushing yards and two total touchdowns on 25 carries.
🏥 Injuries (Q=Questionable, D=Doubtful, O=Out, IR=Injured Reserve)
Green Bay Packers
PlayerPositionInjury DesignationJaire AlexanderCornerbackIRZayne AndersonSafetyQJavon BullardSafetyQEdgerrin CooperLinebackerQBrenton Cox Jr.Defensive EndQJordan LoveQuarterbackQJordan MorganOffensive TackleIRT.J. SlatonDefensive TackleQQuay WalkerLinebackerQChristian WatsonWide ReceiverOMalik WillisQuarterbackQEvan WilliamsSafetyQAll injuries were taken from ESPN as of Jan. 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles
PlayerPositionInjury DesignationA.J. BrownWide ReceiverQBritain CoveyWide ReceiverIRBrandon GrahamDefensive EndIRJalen HurtsQuarterbackQTrevor KeeganOffensive GuardQJordan MorganOffensive TackleIRKenny PickettQuarterbackQWill ShipleyRunning BackQC.J. UzomahTight EndIRBen VanSumerenLinebackerIRByron youngDefensive TackleIRAll injuries were taken from ESPN as of Jan. 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Packers and Sargento Foods continuing hunger relief campaign throughout playoffs
🔮 Game Prediction:
Jordan Love and company have a tough road ahead of them in their hopes for a run at the Super Bowl. They enter Philadelphia banged up and will already, for sure, be without wide receiver Christian Watson and cornerback Jaire Alexander.
As if being less than 100% isn't already tough enough, they now enter a hostel Philadephia environment against an Eagles team that is top 10 in yards per game and points scored on offense while also being 1st in total yards allowed and 2nd in points allowed per game on defense.
There are a lot of similarities that can be made between this Packers team, the 2010 Packers team, and last year's Packers team which was also the #7 seed on the road taking on the #2 seed. Despite being similar, the circumstances around this year's team and the upcoming Wildcard matchup are certainly different.
I just think it's about just trying to not make the game bigger than what it is. Yes, it's a playoff game, we all understand that, but this is the same thing that these guys have been doing, you know, 18 weeks now. Obviously we know the margins are thin in this league and you got to be your best when your best is required and certainly against one of the permier teams in this league.
Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur
Green Bay will likely put up a decent fight against Philadelphia as they did in week 1 down in Brazil. The team has been battle-tested all season long. Ultimately, between the injuries, the environment they'll be playing in, and how good the Eagles are proven to be, the Packers will come up just short of a win.
Final Score: Packers 27 Eagles 34