The Packers traveled a long way just to get waxed in Brazil, and they mostly did it to themselves in a game that was more lopsided than the score would suggest. 

Opening games are always wonky, especially with a new defensive system and brutal travel to unfamiliar territory with slick turf. Still, despite a couple of explosive plays to Jayden Reed, it was a parade of penalties, poor tackling and mental errors that ruined any chance of staying with a rejuvenated Eagles team and its major addition, Saquon Barkley. 

Of course, none of this will matter if Jordan Love’s injury in the last seconds of the game is serious. It certainly looked bad as he writhed in pain and had to be helped off the field after getting tackled trying to scramble out of the pocket to keep the desperation drive alive. As of this writing there was no official information available on the injury. One report quoting a doctor who watched the video speculated it is a high-ankle sprain. It’s hard to imagine this season amounting to anything if Love is out for a lengthy period of time.

In any event, it will be a long and depressing flight home for the Packers, who can only contemplate what could easily have been a 1-0 start to a season with sky-high expectations. We can only hope and implore the gods for some good news on Love’s health.

 

GAME BALLS

Jayden Reed — Picking up where he left off in his terrific rookie year, Reed continues to show why he is Green Bay’s most dangerous offensive weapon besides a healthy Love. Reed’s combination of burst, speed and powerful hands make him one of the league’s top all-purpose receivers, and he showed all those traits on his two touchdowns. The first, from an end around for 33 yards, and then his reception for 70, left Philadelphia defenders looking helpless. Almost as impressive was a leaping sideline catch to keep the last drive alive before the Love injury ended things.  🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 

Keisean Nixon — At times, the Packers’ slot corner and premier return man seemed to be everywhere. He accounted for six solo tackles out of seven total, including two for losses and an impressive sack of Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. Oh, and a 24-yard kick return. His only blemish was deciding to run the ball out of the end zone just before the Packers’ final drive after the Eagles kicked a lead-extending field goal. Instead of taking the touchback and giving Love a chance from the 30, Nixon only gained 15. 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 

Quay Walker — In his second year as a Packer, Walker had his best game. With 11 tackles, seven solo and one for a loss on a great individual play, Walker executed the kind of linebacker play that is essential for Jeff Hafley’s new defensive scheme to succeed. Yes, he got juked on one of Barkley’s  three touchdowns, but it was hardly an easy play, as Barkley showed why he is the league’s most fearsome running back right now. 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 

 

UNSUNG HERO

Javon Bullard — Quietly, the second-round safety had a solid game for a rookie in a new scheme. He was around the ball to the tune of 11 tackles, matching Walker’s totals, including seven solo. His coverage wasn’t perfect, but he was generally in the right place at the right time. Safety is a difficult position to quickly learn and then master at the pro level, and Bullard looks to be well on his way.

Honorable mention — Tucker Kraft, who had been listed as questionable to play, showed up in both receiving and blocking. He hauled in two of his three targets, one for 29 yards. Is it time to wonder if Kraft is the better of the two tight ends the Packers drafted last year? Luke Musgrave, the more highly touted prospect taken a round ahead of Kraft, was largely invisible, looks one-dimensional and has yet to have a significant impact in a game. 

 

LAME CALLS

Penalties — Penalized 10 times for 71 yards, the Packers shot themselves in the foot so many times it’s amazing they were able to walk off the field. And of course several of the penalties came at critical moments, including 12 men on the field that erased a touchdown, and a killer defensive holding to extend the Eagles’ fourth quarter drive in which they took the lead for good. This team struggled with penalties last year, and Matt LaFleur has to get this cleaned up.

The defense — With expectations high after the firing of Joe Barry and the arrival of Jeff Hafley, the results weren’t that different. The Eagles had 25 first downs to the Packers’ 19, and dominated time of possession despite struggles of their own. The re-tooled secondary performed decently, with the exception of Jaire Alexander, who has yet to show himself to be the player thought of as a top corner in the league two seasons ago. Hurts was able to pick apart the defense with a dynamic set of receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. But the biggest problem was Barkley, who ended up with 109 yards rushing with two touchdowns and 23 yards receiving with one TD. Hafley simply had no answers, and Walker desperately needs rookie Edgerrin Cooper to develop quickly. Isaiah McDuffie is not up to the task and was repeatedly exposed. The only bright spot for the defense was a concerted and successful effort at keeping Hurts largely hemmed in and not hurting the Packers with his legs. 

Lack of in-game adjustment — This is where I downgrade Hafley the most. After seeing what Philadelphia’s run game was accomplishing, little changed in the second half as the Eagles’ passing game took advantage, and Philadelphia only had to punt twice all game. 

The O-line — This line barely opened a hole for running backs until midway through the fourth quarter, when Josh Jacobs was able to finally get untracked after looking no better than AJ Dillon for the first part of the game. Yes, Emanuel Wilson had a couple of good runs in the first half, but overall this is a line built for pass protection and is sorely missing a dynamic run blocker. 

 

FINAL WHISTLES

We got our first look at Brayden Narvosen, the last-minute acquisition who early on gave us visions of a consistent kicker, only to miss a crucial 43-yarder late in the game. This was the distance Anders Carlson often struggled with, and one that good kickers do not. Let’s hope Mr. Confidence can put it behind him.

Let’s all pray for Love.