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PHILADELPHIA — Dallas Goedert showcased his determination by pushing through Green Bay’s defense when he delivered a series of stiff arms, ultimately reaching the end zone. This vibrant display of effort came during a game where the Philadelphia Eagles welcomed back their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, and were well-prepared to take on the Packers.
Hurts, returning from a late-season concussion, threw two touchdown passes while the Eagles’ top-ranked defense played a crucial role in their 22-10 win in the wild-card playoff. Although Hurts passed for a modest 131 yards, he demonstrated confidence, completing six consecutive passes at the start and securing a significant 24-yard touchdown toss to Goedert in the third quarter. The play, where Goedert shoved off Carrington Valentine to score, will be a memorable highlight in the franchise’s playoff history.
“That was a really fun play. It might be my favorite touchdown of my career,” Goedert remarked. “I had one guy to beat and I was able to do that. I’m not ready to go home, and I was going to do whatever it took to help the team get the ‘W.’”
On the defensive side, the Eagles took charge. They capitalized on a fumble recovery from the opening kickoff, allowing Hurts to connect with Goedert for his first score in just three plays. The defense made crucial interceptions, picking off Jordan Love two times in the first half. With a 19-10 lead in the fourth quarter, they denied the Packers a chance to convert on a critical fourth-and-3, further squashing any hopes of a comeback.
Quinyon Mitchell’s interception of Love with 1:51 left in the game sealed the Eagles’ victory. The NFC East champions are now set to host a divisional round game next Sunday against either the Vikings or the Los Angeles Rams, depending on the outcome of their wild-card matchup.
Hurts highlighted the need for the team to find their rhythm earlier in games, acknowledging the inconsistencies they faced throughout the year, especially during his absence. “It’s been an odd year in a sense of how choppy it’s been,” he explained.
Saquon Barkley made a notable impact in his Eagles postseason debut, contributing 119 rushing yards. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the playoffs after previously watching from the sidelines. “I’m just happy to be here,” he stated.
The Eagles even carved out moments for lightheartedness, with A.J. Brown seen flipping through a book titled “Inner Excellence” during the game, despite only recording one catch for 10 yards.
Jordan Love struggled against the Eagles’ defense, throwing for 212 yards but being intercepted three times and sacked twice while dealing with an injured right elbow sustained earlier this season. “It just wasn’t good enough,” Love admitted, acknowledging the challenges he faced.
Josh Jacobs added a score for the Packers, running for 81 yards and forcing his way through defenders on a remarkable 31-yard gain. The Eagles briefly expanded their lead when Hurts advanced their position through a penalty, allowing Jake Elliott to kick a crucial field goal. Elliott successfully converted two shorter field goals following an earlier missed extra point.
The energy at the Linc was palpable as fans cheered enthusiastically throughout the game, beginning with the announcement of Hurts’ return and continuing with the fumble recovery that set the tone for the Eagles. The team was aggressive in defense, as seen when Darius Slay and All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun each contributed interceptions that kept the Packers off the scoreboard despite their attempts at a quick offensive strategy.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur recognized the Eagles’ talent, stating, “They got good players… They played better than us, bottom line.”
Despite a shaky performance, Hurts eased concerns about his physical condition early on with accurate throws before experiencing some struggles. However, he rebounded in the latter stages of the game, demonstrating his potential to lead the Eagles. Coach Nick Sirianni commended Hurts for showcasing his winning attitude, affirming that the quarterback delivered a solid performance overall.
In terms of injuries, the Packers faced significant losses, including two wide receivers and key offensive linemen. For the Eagles, linebacker Nakobe Dean was ruled out due to a knee injury sustained in the second quarter and was seen using crutches afterward.
Looking forward, the Packers concluded their season while the Eagles await the outcome of the wild-card game to determine their next opponent.
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