Packers fall to Eagles in defensive bout

If you’re a fan of the offense, Monday night in Green Bay was ugly. If defense is your thing, this was a thing of beauty.

Two of the NFC’s best teams faced off on a cold night at Lambeau Field, with the Philadelphia Eagles prevailing over the Green Bay Packers 10-7.

Every victory in the hotly contested NFC is significant: According to ESPN Analytics, the Eagles’ chances of capturing the No. 1 seed increased to 33% with this victory; a loss would have caused them to fall by as much as 12%.

The defense kept all the chances on the side of the reigning champions. The Eagles’ revamped pass rush made quarterback Jordan Love uncomfortable all night, helping hold the Packers scoreless through three quarters for just the third time under head coach Matt LaFleur.

Philly’s offense showed some life late thanks to a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith, and it was enough to push the Eagles to 7-2 as they prepare for another heavyweight fight against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

Turning point: Taking a 3-0 lead into the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts found Saquon Barkley on a swing pass on third-and-7, which Barkley turned into a 41-yard gain down the left sideline. On the next play, Hurts found Smith in the end zone for a 36-yard score.

Most surprising performance: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gave edge rusher Jaelan Phillips a major role in his first game as an Eagle, and Phillips did a big job. Acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a third-round pick before last week’s trade deadline, Phillips produced seven QB pressures, two QB hits and six tackles. He set up Josh Jacobs on fourth-and-1 with 1:30 left, leading to a forced fumble that helped seal Philly’s victory. The Eagles have something to prepare for on the defensive front with the addition of Phillips and the return of Nolan Smith Jr. from a triceps injury.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo played conservatively most of the time, especially on third down. There were several occasions when Philadelphia chose to go for it on third-and-long. The Eagles are up to 29 three-point drives resulting in a punt this season, the second-most in the NFL behind the Broncos (34). — Tim McManus

Next game: vs. Detroit Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, NBC)

Green Bay Packers (5-3-1)

This play will not appear on any offensive instructional tape. In fact, the Packers might want to burn him.

In one of the worst offensive performances of coach Matt LaFleur’s seven seasons in Green Bay, his team didn’t score until 5:49 remained in the fourth quarter.

The Packers were never shut out under LaFleur, and this was only the third time they were held in check for three quarters during the coach’s tenure. One of them was Jordan Love’s first career start, replacing Aaron Rodgers against the Chiefs in 2021. The other came in 2023 against the Saints, and the Packers came back to win.

In the Saints game, they rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win 18-17. Monday’s deficit wasn’t as big. They led 10-0 until running back Josh Jacobs finally got the Packers on the board, capping their first goal with a 6-yard touchdown run.

This, after the Packers managed just 13 points in the previous week’s surprise loss at home to the Panthers.

The defeat was particularly detrimental to the standings since the Packers (5-3-1) fell from first to third place in the NFC North.

Stat to know: Packers receivers had one dropped pass all season Monday night, according to ESPN Research. They made two straight plays in the third quarter against the Eagles. First, Romeo Doubs couldn’t get the ball in on a third-and-9 play up the middle, then on the next play, with the Packers going for fourth down at the Eagles’ 41, Bo Melton bounced a ball off his chest.

Then on the Packers’ final drive, Dontayvion Wicks left another one, giving them three on the night. Including all players, the Packers entered Monday’s game with five total losses, four of which were by non-receivers.

The biggest hole in the game plan: The Packers couldn’t find a way to replicate what they lost last week when budding star tight end Tucker Kraft was lost for the season to a torn ACL. In fact, for most of the game, LaFleur opted for a very busy play call list, limiting Love’s passing opportunities. It looked more like the game plans he used when Love missed two games last season with a knee injury, and LaFleur limited backup Malik Willis’ throwing opportunities.

Trend to watch: For a second straight game, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit gave the team a chance to win. A week after the 16-13 loss to the Panthers, they held the Eagles in check for most of the game. The Packers gave up their first points of the game on a field goal midway through the third quarter and didn’t allow a touchdown until early in the fourth. They have given up 16 points or fewer in the three losses. They are now 1-3 when giving up 16 points or fewer this season, their biggest loss since 1978, according to ESPN Research. Rob Demovsky

Next game: at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Fox)