Yes, Jordan Love is atop that list, but let’s find a few other key names who need to play well for Green Bay to win.
It’s a bit crazy to think about where the Green Bay Packers would be this season if they did not have Keisean Nixon on the team. The return specialist-turned-slot cornerback-turned boundary corner has been an integral part of the defense this season, particularly given the absence of Jaire Alexander for most of the season.
Nixon and fellow outside cornerback Carrington Valentine are among the most critical players for the Packers in this Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two will likely match up with the Eagles’ top two receiving targets, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, with Philly generally throwing the ball outside the numbers most of the time.
But Nixon is hardly the only critical player for this Packers team. Take rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who will need to have a big performance in defending Saquon Barkley. Dontayvion Wicks must step up as a man coverage beater with his route-running, particularly in the absence of Christian Watson.
And then, of course, there’s Jordan Love, whose availability for Sunday’s game will hopefully not be a question when the end of the week rolls around. He is of course the most critical piece, playing the most critical position on the field, but he will also need to step up his play from the level at which he has performed the last few games.
If there was ever a time for these X-factors to bring their A-games, it is this Sunday afternoon.
Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (concussion) ‘sharp’ in return to practice – ESPN
Those are the words of his left tackle, Jordan Mailata, after Wednesday’s practice.
Packers QB Jordan Love limited in practice, ‘hopeful’ to play Sunday | Packers.com
Meanwhile, Love’s own comments sound a little less sure about his status, though perhaps that is just a bit of gamesmanship.
Keisean Nixon has been everything the Packers needed | Packers.com
Nixon has played both in the slot and outside this season, making him one of the defense’s most important pieces just a short time after being “just” a return specialist.
Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper’s emergence could be key in playoff rematch with Eagles | Packers Wire
Cooper may well be the most important facet to the Packers’ ability to contain Saquon Barkley on Sunday.
Packers Remain Historically Young For Wild-Card Game Against Eagles | SI.com
The Packers were the youngest team to win a postseason game in the Super Bowl era last year. They’re slightly older this year, but only trail themselves from a year ago in that quality.
Woman arrested after accidentally texting sheriff’s department instead of drug dealer | WLOX.com
Double-check those phone numbers, folks.