The Green Bay Packers experienced self-inflicted wounds throughout the season. They never performed well against good teams and punished themselves with mental errors and mishaps. As the season went, supporters expected the Packers to mature and leave those bad behaviors behind them. Instead, when they had the opportunity to play excellent teams and put the “beating themselves” myths to bed, the Packers failed once more, losing to the second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
No one player or coach was to blame for the defeat. Instead, accountability began at the top with Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia and progressed to the bottom with Malik Heath and Kadeem Telfort. Only two people are blameless: Jeff Hafley, first-year defensive coordinator, and Josh Jacobs, first-year Packers running back. Hafley and Jacobs played as if it were their last football game.
Hafley’s defense allowed only 15 points, omitting the Eagles’ first touchdown, which came when the Packers’ special teams gave them the ball on the edge of the end zone. Hafley’s squad consistently kept Philadelphia’s star receivers and quarterback in check. Meanwhile, Jacobs ran with determination against a stout Eagles defense. Unfortunately, the rest of the team did not share their enthusiasm.
The Packers would have needed to pull off an upset to defeat the Eagles. They boast one of the best defenses in the NFL, as well as an offense full of studs capable of making spectacular plays. However, the Packers did not assist themselves. It started with the first play. Keisean Nixon is a former All-Pro returnee. However, Packers third-round pick Oren Burks slammed Nixon, who threw the ball on the ground. The officials judged it Philadelphia’s ball despite a clear review of Nixon returning it and no clear review of where the Eagles owned it. The Birds scored comfortably three plays later.
The referees may have screwed the Packers on that play. Nonetheless, a returner’s primary responsibility is to maintain possession for his team. When he fumbles the ball on the first kickoff, it’s difficult to blame anyone else. Nixon also made a critical mistake as the Eagles were driving in the second half and the Packers needed a stop to potentially reclaim the lead. He threw running back Saquon Barkley to the ground at least five yards out, allowing Philadelphia to continue its drive. The Eagles added a field goal to make it a two-score game.
Throughout the game, the Packers beat themselves up with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. T.J. Slaton received another unnecessary roughness penalty after Green Bay stopped Barkley for a loss. The Eagles ended the drive with a field goal, putting the game out of reach. Green Bay’s lack of viable substitutes reflects the team’s ethos. The Packers were ravaged by injuries during the contest. Devonte Wyatt of the defensive line and Elgton Jenkins of the offensive line both suffered injuries in the first quarter. Later in the game, they lost wideouts Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed. In the last seconds, they had to cart center Josh Myers. Even Jacobs left the game late.
It’s difficult to overcome all of these ailments. At times, the Packers deployed Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, and Heath as wide receivers. Meanwhile, they used third-string guard Kadeem Telfort when Chris Brooks was in the backfield. Jordan Love had nothing to work with at the end of the game. The scoreboard may have looked different, but the Packers played the same self-destructive football they did against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Eagles earlier this season.
It is not a lack of execution; it is simply who they are. This season, the Packers have frequently underperformed against superior opponents. The opening play was a foreshadowing of a young Packers squad that failed to rise above and overcome its flaws at any stage during the game. They now have an early summer to figure out how to improve their negative behaviors.
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