The turf was a disaster. Honestly, looking back at the Green Bay Philadelphia score from their historic season opener in São Paulo, the most surprising thing wasn't the 34-29 result in favor of the Eagles. It was the fact that everyone walked off that field without a season-ending ACL tear. Or at least, almost everyone.
If you were watching the game, you saw elite athletes sliding around like they were wearing bowling shoes on an ice rink. Saquon Barkley, making his debut in Midnight Green, actually slipped on his very first carry for a loss of five yards. People on social media were already calling him a bust. Then, he exploded. Three touchdowns later, he proved why Philly paid the premium.
Breaking Down the 34-29 Green Bay Philadelphia Score
The game was a weird, sloppy, yet high-octane mess. It’s rare to see a final score like 34-29 that feels both like a defensive struggle and an offensive shootout simultaneously. The Eagles started about as poorly as a professional football team can. Jalen Hurts threw a pick, then fumbled a snap. It looked like the late-season collapse of 2023 was just continuing on a different continent.
But the Green Bay Philadelphia score doesn't tell you about the red zone failures that haunted the Packers all night. Green Bay had multiple opportunities to bury Philly early. Instead, they settled for field goals. You can't give a team with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith second chances.
By the time we reached the fourth quarter, the lead had changed hands more times than most people can keep track of. Jayden Reed was basically the entire Packers offense for a while, ripping off a 70-yard touchdown catch and a 33-yard touchdown run. He looked like the best player on the field, which is saying something considering the star power present.
The Jordan Love Injury That Changed Everything
The Green Bay Philadelphia score became secondary the moment Jordan Love went down. With seconds left on the clock and the Packers trailing by five, Love got caught in a dynamic tackle. You could see his knee pop on the broadcast. The collective gasp from Wisconsin could probably be heard in Brazil.
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Malik Willis had to come in for the final two plays. It was hopeless. You aren't winning a game with a guy who has been on the roster for two weeks trying to throw a 50-yard Hail Mary under pressure.
Philly fans breathed a sigh of relief. Packers fans started Googling "MCL sprain recovery time." It turned out to be an MCL sprain, which was a "best-case scenario," but in the moment, that 34-29 score felt like a footnote to a potential disaster.
Why the Eagles Won (And Why Green Bay Lost)
If you look at the box score, the stats are surprisingly even. Green Bay actually had more first downs. They had more total yards. But they couldn't stop Saquon.
Barkley finished with 109 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, plus a receiving touchdown. He was the difference. While Jalen Hurts struggled with his decision-making—throwing two ugly interceptions—he made the plays that mattered when the pocket collapsed.
The Packers' defense, under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, showed flashes of being "aggressive," but they also got gashed. They forced three turnovers. Usually, when you force three turnovers and hold the opponent to under 300 yards passing, you win. Not this time.
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- Turnovers: Philly had 3, Green Bay had 1.
- Red Zone: Green Bay went 1-for-4 in the red zone. That’s the game right there.
- Third Down: Neither team was particularly good, but Philly converted when it was time to salt the clock away.
The Field Condition Controversy
We have to talk about the grass at Arena Corinthians. It was "Sisal" turf, a hybrid used primarily for soccer. NFL players are bigger, heavier, and cut harder than soccer players. The chunks of sod flying up made the game look like it was being played in a blender.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn't use it as an excuse, but you could tell he was frustrated. Every time a receiver tried to run a double move, they ended up on their backside. This affected the Green Bay Philadelphia score because it neutralized the speed advantage Green Bay’s young receivers usually have. It turned the game into a "muck it up" contest, which favors a team with a massive offensive line like Philadelphia’s.
Tactical Takeaways for the Rest of the Season
What did we actually learn?
First, the Eagles' "Tush Push" (or Brotherly Shove) isn't dead just because Jason Kelce retired. Cam Jurgens handled the center duties well enough to keep that short-yardage dominance alive.
Second, Jayden Reed is a superstar in the making. He’s not just a "slot guy." He’s a weapon that LaFleur can use anywhere. If you’re playing fantasy football or just betting on games, Reed is the focal point of that offense regardless of who is at quarterback.
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Third, Vic Fangio’s defense in Philly is still a work in progress. They gave up too many big plays to Reed and Christian Watson. If the Packers had a veteran QB who didn't get hurt, they probably would have marched down the field for a game-winning score.
What to Do With This Information Now
If you're looking back at this game to predict future matchups between these two NFC giants, don't over-index on the Week 1 sloppiness. Brazil was an anomaly. The travel, the field, and the "opening night jitters" created a specific environment that won't happen in a playoff rematch.
- Watch the Injury Reports: The Green Bay Philadelphia score was heavily influenced by the health of the offensive lines. Keep an eye on the Packers' protection schemes moving forward.
- Betting Trends: Both these teams proved they can score points in bunches. The "Over" is usually a safe bet when these two offenses are healthy.
- Evaluate the Backfields: Josh Jacobs looked solid for Green Bay, but he wasn't used as much in the passing game as some expected. Look for that to change as the season progresses.
Ultimately, Philadelphia walked away with the "W" and the 1-0 record, but Green Bay walked away knowing they could hang with the best in the NFC even when things went sideways. The 34-29 final was a fair reflection of a game where the more experienced roster found a way to win a mess.
If you're tracking these teams for the postseason, pay attention to the turnover margin. Philly survived three giveaways in Brazil, but they won't survive that against a team like Detroit or San Francisco. The Packers need to fix their red zone efficiency—kicking field goals in the 20s is a recipe for a 9-8 season.
Keep an eye on the rematch potential. If these two meet in January, expect the score to be just as high, but hopefully, the footing will be a lot more stable.