Eagles-Packers: Week 12 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Eagles returned to .500 last week with a loss in Seattle, but a trip back home could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Eagles are 4-0 at home this season with convincing wins in each of their games at Lincoln Financial Field. Surprisingly, the Green Bay Packers have a record below .500 at 4-6 and the Eagles will look to take advantage of a damaged club on Monday night.

Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m.

Quarterbacks

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
12 Aaron Rodgers 11 Carson Wentz
Stats: 2,761 YD, 25 TD, 7 INT Stats: 2,339 YD, 11 TD, 7 INT

Aaron Rodgers is still playing at a high level as he approaches the 3,000-yard mark and has 25 touchdowns on the season compared to just seven interceptions. Rodgers is also completing 63.2 percent of his passes and averaging 222.1 yards per game.

Carson Wentz had another game where the end result wasn't completely on his shoulders, but it was far from his best game. Two more interceptions against Seattle's defense hurt the rookie and he'll have to try again to have a bounce-back performance.

Running Backs

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
21 Eddie Lacy 28 Wendell Smallwood
Stats: 71 Att, 360 YD, 0 TD Stats: 57 Att, 253 YD, 1 TD

Eddie Lacy has been used a little less than expected to this point in the season, but his most surprising stat may be no touchdowns on the ground through 11 weeks.

With Ryan Mathews out and Darren Sproles making a return from a rib injury, Wendell Smallwood should get a lot of chances to run the ball. Smallwood has one touchdown and has been effective in limited looks this season.

Wide Receivers

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
87 Jordy Nelson Stats: 53 Rec, 663 YD, 9 TD 81 Jordan Matthews Stats: 53 Rec, 639 YD, 3 TD
17 Davante Adams Stats: 53 Rec, 663 YD, 6 TD 86 Zach Ertz Stats: 35 Rec, 337 YD, 1 TD

The Packers have three formidable receivers with Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. For some perspective, Nelson has just two fewer receiving touchdowns as the Eagles have all season. 

Jordan Matthews numbers have been solid, but the Eagles top receiver is leaving much to be desired. Zach Ertz has been improved in previous weeks, but ultimately, this is a group that needs to step up soon. They will also have Paul Turner available to make his season debut.

Defense

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
21 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Stats: 36 Tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF 23 Rodney McLeod Stats: 58 Tackles, 1.0 Sacks, 3 INT
53 Nick Perry Stats: 27 Tackles, 7.0 Sacks, 1 INT 53 Nigel Bradham Stats: 63 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR
76 Mike Daniels Stats: 17 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 4 TFL 58 Jordan Hicks Stats: 53 Tackles, 1.0 Sacks, 2 INT

The Packers defense is battered with injuries and has struggled in the last four games. That's something to watch for against the Eagles offense.

The Eagles defense has been incredibly dominant at home. With players like Jordan Hicks and Brandon Graham turning in strong seasons, keep an eye on the Eagles defense to be a presence at home again.

Player to Watch

Green Bay Packers (4-6) Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
12 Aaron Rodgers 80 Paul Turner
Stats: 2,761 YD, 25 TD, 7 INT Stats: N/A

It hasn't been the year you would expect from Rodgers' Packers, but he is still among the best quarterbacks in the game and can carve up a defense. The Eagles secondary is suspect at times, so watch for Rodgers and his three big targets to do some damage.

Paul Turner will be the newcomer to the lineup and the hope is the Eagles give him a chance to show what he's capable of. The fans have been begging for Turner to get into a game. They get their wish this week.

Injury Report

Green Bay Packers (4-6)

Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)

LB Kyler Fackrell

Hamstring

Out

RB Ryan Mathews

Knee

Out

CB Demetri Goodson Knee Out

T Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Knee

Out

 G T.J. Lang Foot Out  

 

 

LB Blake Martinez Knee Out

 

 

 

OL JC Tretter Knee Out      
OL Don Barclay Shoulder Questionable      
CB Damarious Randall Groin Questionable      
LB Jake Ryan Ankle Questionable      

Game Notes

  • This is the Eagles third primetime game this season. They are 1-1 in the previous two.
  • The Eagles have also won five of their last six games on Monday Night Football.
  • The Eagles are 5-3 in their last eight games against the Packers, but also have won nine of their last 10 games against Green Bay at home dating back to 1974.

Where to Watch

TV: ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
Radio: 94 Sportsradio WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, Steve Tasker)

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