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    • The Packers’ running problems in the first half proved costly late in the game, leading to a Week 1 loss
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    The Packers’ running problems in the first half proved costly late in the game, leading to a Week 1 loss

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    SAO PAULO – If the Green Bay Packers had been prepared for what the Philadelphia Eagles defense threw at them early in the game, they might not have been where they were at the end of the game.

    Instead of needing a touchdown drive with 22 seconds left in a 34-29 season-opening loss, they might have caught an onside kick to secure the win.

    Coach Matt LaFleur probably wouldn’t have left Corinthians Arena with 0 international matches.

    Philadelphia stymied Green Bay’s rushing attack in the first quarter, limiting starter Josh Jacobs, making his Packers debut, to 4 yards on his first six carries. The timing was terrible as the Packers had the ball in Eagles territory three times in the first 12 minutes and finished with just 6 points.

    If they had been able to free up Jacobs earlier (he gained 80 yards on his next 10 attempts) they might have scored enough points early to completely change the tone of the game.

    “Philly, give them credit,” LaFleur said. “They came out defensively and did things we didn’t expect.”

    New Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had plenty to worry about with the Packers’ passing game, but he didn’t want them to go all-in on the run right from the start. The Packers excel when they can throw play-action, and Fangio decided to take away the run first.

    Every time Jacobs got the ball, there were multiple defenders ready to stop him.

    “They just shot the holes,” Jacobs said. “They had a great game plan for the calls we were calling. Once we made the adjustments, we did better.”

    By being aggressive with their linebackers, the Eagles were able to negate some of the double-team blocks the Packers use in their inside zone run game. For example, if Elgton Jenkins and Josh Myers were double-teamed with defensive tackle Jordan Davis, one of them would have to slide off early to ensure the blitzing linebacker didn’t get a clear shot at Jacobs.

    Instead of breaking the double coverage and blocking the linebacker further down the field, they had to pick him up right away, blocking the middle for Jacobs.

    “They were blitzing a lot and taking us off our double teams,” Jenkins said. “You’ve got to get off your double team. For the most part, that (ruins the game). We adjusted. We started running different plays. It kind of worked against the scheme.”

    The Packers finished with 21 carries for 163 yards, which was the third-most rushing yards the Packers have had since the start of the 2023 season.

    The way the game started, it appeared that Jacobs was not the player leading the league in rushing two years ago.

    It was backup Emanuel Wilson, still hampered by a hip injury, who got things going. Wilson got the ball three times early in the second quarter and broke off runs of 14, 5 and 18 yards.

    Wilson finished the game with four carries for 46 yards.

    With the Eagles focused up the middle on Wilson’s runs, LaFleur called a well-timed end-around to receiver Jayden Reed, who got a good block from Wilson and Myers and broke a tackle en route to a 33-yard touchdown run.

    But the Eagles were again stumped when LaFleur, after an extra point penalty, opted to attempt a 2-point conversion from the 1-yard line. Jacobs barely got the handoff before he was met at the line of scrimmage, resulting in a 12-7 Packers lead instead of a 14-7 lead.

    “The linebackers shot the holes and ran downhill,” Jacobs said. “So, shoutout to them.”

    The part that LaFleur and his coaching staff will have to examine is why they weren’t able to capitalize on Philadelphia’s aggressiveness earlier. As the game went on, they were able to use play-action at times to hold the linebackers and get the ball down the field.

    Under normal circumstances, the Packers would be thrilled to get 130 yards on 20 carries from their two running backs. But going forward, they’re going to need to get more of those yards when they get deep into their opponents’ territory.

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