The Green Bay Packers couldn’t have crafted a worse start to Sunday’s postseason showdown in Philadelphia if they tried.
Keisean Nixon fumbled the opening kickoff, Saquon Barkley forced a missed tackle from Carrington Valentine on an explosive run, Jalen Hurts found Jahan Dotson for an 11-yard touchdown pass after holding the ball for over five seconds in the pocket and the Packers responded by going three-and-out, with a near interception and an ugly third down third from Jordan Love.
The Packers, who have struggled with self-sabotage in several big games this season, fell behind after only 99 seconds of play at Lincoln Financial Field.
Former Packer Oren Burks caused the fumble. While it appeared Nixon might have recovered his own fumble, the call on the field stood after replay.
The Eagles needed only three plays to get into the end zone. The pass-rush on Hurts’ touchdown pass was non-existent, and Dotson eventually uncovered in the end zone.
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The Packers’ next possession started inside the 15-yard line after a holding penalty on the kickoff. Love overthrew Dontayvion Wicks on his first pass and was nearly intercepted. Josh Jacobs was stuffed after a 2-yard gain on 2nd-and-10. And Love’s third-down pass wasn’t near any receiver after pressure blew up the pocket almost immediately.
Turnover, touchdown, three-and-out for the Packers.
Can the Packers wake up and find a response or will this NFC Wild Card Round game get away from Matt LaFleur’s team early?
Last year, the Packers got an early touchdown drive and an early takeaway to open up a 14-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys to start the playoffs. This year, the Packers will have to overcome a deficit of their own making in Philadelphia.