The Green Bay Packers will be underdogs when they go to Philadelphia to play the 14-3 Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Considering the Eagles have won 12 of the last 13 games and the Packers were 0-5 against the Eagles, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, Matt LaFleur’s team is going to need to play its best game of the season to advance in the NFC playoffs.
The Packers lost 34-29 to the Eagles in the season opening game in Brazil.
Everyone knows Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Rashan Gary and Xavier McKinney need to be at their best for the Packers to win Sunday. Star players win games. But the Packers will need plenty of help from others to topple the Eagles.
Here are some players who need to play their best game on Sunday in Philadelphia:
LT Rasheed Walker: He gave up four pressures and committed two holding penalties in the opener against the Eagles. Can he keep the Eagles edge rushers from disrupting the pocket and play a penalty-free game? Walker committed only three penalties and gave up just one sack over the final 10 games.
WR Romeo Doubs: No Christian Watson means the Packers will be without their best vertical threat and man beater. Doubs has to take the crown and be a go-to target on Sunday, especially in obvious passing situations. Can he beat man coverage and create a few big plays? Doubs had a BIG postseason last January (10 catches, 234 yards).
LB Edgerrin Cooper: He played only 11 snaps in the opener against the Eagles. Over the final four games of the 2024 season, Cooper was one of the NFL’s best defensive players. Can he create negative plays and help keep Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts contained. Cooper and Quay Walker need to be active sideline to sideline on Sunday.
DL Devonte Wyatt: Consistently beating the Eagles offensive tackle duo on the edge is going to be tough work. But the interior of the Eagles offensive line isn’t nearly as dominant, and Wyatt has the power and quickness to win off the ball. The Packers need to win consistently with a four-man front, and Wyatt might be the most likely disruptor on Sunday.
K Brandon McManus: The Packers can afford no lost points on Sunday. A miss from Brayden Narveson was huge in the opener, but McManus has been nearly perfect since taking over the kicker spot midseason. Can the veteran make a big kick in a big spot outdoors at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday? McManus made from 55 in frigid temps in the finale at Lambeau.
TE Luke Musgrave: Don’t be surprised if the Packers use more two-tight end sets to counter the Eagles’ preferred nickel defense, especially with Christian Watson out. Musgrave has the size and speed to replace some of what Watson brought to the passing game. Having Musgrave and Tucker Kraft on the field together could help the run game and set up some play-action passing opportunities.
WR Dontayvion Wicks: His drop issue appears to be a thing of the past. So can Wicks be the consistent separator for Jordan Love on third down and in the red zone? The Eagles are going to challenge the Packers to win 1-on-1s in the passing game. Wicks is a route winner, and he’ll be on the field a lot with Watson out.
CB Keisean Nixon: Either he’ll play on the outside and see plenty of A.J. Brown or he’ll be inside and see plenty of Devonta Smith. Either way, the Packers need Nixon — now the de facto No. 1 cornerback — must play his best game of the season. The Eagles aren’t a heavy passing team but it won’t be surprising if they like the matchups on the outside and attempt to exploit them on Sunday.
DL Kenny Clark: His 2024 season was shockingly absent of impact despite playing in all 17 games. Can Clark finally come alive in the postseason? The Packers need him to collapse pockets around Jalen Hurts, especially if the Packers rush contain. He’ll also need to be stout against the run to prevent Saquon Barkley consistently getting to the second level.