Can the Packers beat Philadelphia as an Underdog?

Yes. The question of can the Packers beat Philadelphia will dominate national air waves over the next week and the Packers can win if they win in the following areas.

Pass Rush will have to be better if Packers beat Philadelphia

The first time the Packers played the Eagles this season, it was on the wet surface in Brazil. Safe to say that with that also being the first game of the season, not much can be taken from that game.

However, the pass rush will have to be significantly better if the Packers want to win as underdogs next week. In their first matchup, the Packers had two sacks on Jalen Hurts including this one by Rashan Gary.

All of Lane Johnson's pass protection snaps versus Rashan Gary without chip help.

Outside of the sack, Johnson essentially blanked him. pic.twitter.com/vLkNSDxwx8
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) September 10, 2024

As mentioned in the tweet, Johnson blanked Gary the first time around. The Eagles have an incredible offensive line. It is one of the best in the league. The Packers will have to bottle up Jalen Hurts and generate pressure if they want to succeed. The good thing is the Packers have been really good at bottling up mobile QBs this year so they should be able to handle Hurts there.

However, the Packers need to get some sacks and end some drives or else the Eagles can kill you with back-breaking long drives.

Passing Game Needs to be Better

Can the Packers beat Philadelphia? That question will largely depend on how good the Packers inconsistent passing game is. Christian Watson caught a touchdown pass against the Eagles in Week 1 and the Packers will be without him this time around. The rest of the passing game needs to pick it up if the Packers want to cause an upset.

The good news is Dontayvion Wicks is having a quiet resurgence recently. He caught all of his targets today for 49 yards and has not been struggling with drops recently.

On a day when the Packers have dealt with some concerning injuries, here's some news on the other end of the spectrum:

Dontayvion Wicks has caught all five of his targets for 49 yards.

Wicks, obviously, becomes very significant if Christian Watson can't play next week.
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) January 5, 2025

Coming into the season, the Packers biggest strength was their loaded wide receiver room. Wicks, Doubs, Reed, Kraft, Musgrave, Melton, Heath will all have to step up next week. Then, and only then, can the Packers beat Phildelphia.

No Special Teams miscues

Every Packers fan is aware of special teams miscues and how they can hurt in the postseason. Against the Bears, the Packers had numerous special teams miscues. From a botched snap, to a fumble return for a touchdown, to Reed being an inconsistent returner. The special teams was bad. They need to fix this against the Eagles.

Essentially, the Packers do not have any margin of error this week against the Eagles. They have to perform. They have to execute. Their offense has to be consistent and finish drive with points.

Either way, this Packers season saw great improvements overall from last year. It is important to remember that they are still in year 2 of a rebuild and they have plenty of draft capital and cap space to make some noise over the summer.

Beat the Eagles. Go Pack Go.