NFL: Eagles beat Packers in Brazil

While Eagles running back Saquon Barkley shone with three touchdowns, the Packers have to fear the loss of quarterback Jordan Love.
IMAGO/USA TODAY Network

The start of the new season could not have been worse for the Green Bay Packers. Not only did the team from the US state of Wisconsin lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, but star quarterback Jordan Love was injured and may be out of action.

Love was hurt just before the end

There were only a few seconds left to play when Love was grabbed by Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was lying on the ground, at the halfway line and brought to the ground. His left leg was trapped before he rolled on the ground in pain, was taken off the field and replaced by backup Malik Willis for the last play.

“I don’t know,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur after the game, but was unable to provide any information about the health of his quarterback, who will now be examined in the next few days. A long-term absence of the 25-year-old hopeful (recently given a hefty contract) after the first game of the season would of course hit the Packers hard.

Up to that point, Love had completed half of his 34 passing attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns (with one interception), including a 70-yard pass to Jayden Reed, who was his team’s most productive receiver with 138 total yards caught – and also scored another touchdown on a 33-yard run.

Barkley with three touchdowns

On the other hand, running back Saquon Barkley was able to top that, scoring three touchdowns in his debut for the Eagles and thus celebrating a dream debut for his new team. The new signing from the New York Giants ran for a total of 109 yards and two touchdowns, and there was also a TD pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts. Curiously, he only managed three touchdowns in a game once in his five years with the Giants.

“Did Brazil get a great game tonight or what?” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was euphoric about the high-scoring party. “I know that we made some people into big football fans tonight.” His team initially thought that the start of the game was extremely unfortunate. The first two drives ended with an interception by Hurts and a botched snap. Both times, however, the team’s defense was able to limit the damage and only allowed the Packers one field goal each.

LaFleur complains: “There were many opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of”

“We have to learn from this,” said Packers HC LaFleur afterwards, probably also with a view to these two drives in which a few points were dropped. “I watched the video and don’t want to take anything away from Philly – they fought and played their game – but I think there were a lot of opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of.” This includes a missed field goal by Packers kicker Brayden Narveson from 43 yards.

The Packers have a chance to do better next week at home in Lambeau Field against the Indianapolis Colts – but probably without Love. The Eagles, on the other hand, will host the Atlanta Falcons.