The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers 34-29. That is the short answer, but honestly, it barely scratches the surface of the absolute chaos that unfolded in São Paulo. If you just looked at the box score, you’d see a close game. You’d see some big stats. But you wouldn't see the literal "ice rink" that the field turned into or the terrifying moment Jordan Love went down late in the fourth quarter.
It was a historic night. For the first time ever, the NFL touched down in South America. The Arena Corinthians was packed, vibrant, and loud. Yet, for the players, it felt like trying to play football on a greased-up marble floor. Saquon Barkley, the guy the Eagles paid a king's ransom for in the offseason, slipped on his very first touch. It looked like it was going to be a long night for Philly fans. Then, he reminded everyone why he’s a superstar.
The Saquon Barkley Show and the Scoreboard Reality
Let’s talk about Saquon. If there was any doubt about his fit in this offense, he silenced it pretty quickly. He accounted for three touchdowns. He scored on an 18-yard catch and two different rushes. When the Eagles needed to put the game away, they just fed him. It wasn't always pretty. Jalen Hurts had a rocky start—two turnovers early on that had people wondering if the 2023 collapse was just going to continue right into 2024.
The Packers weren't exactly slouching, though. Jayden Reed is a problem for defensive coordinators. Period. He had a 33-yard touchdown run and a 70-yard touchdown catch. The kid is electric. For a large chunk of the second half, it felt like whoever had the ball last was going to win. The lead changed hands more times than I could keep track of in real-time.
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But who won the eagles packers game came down to the trenches and mistakes. Green Bay struggled in the red zone. They settled for field goals when they needed six. Brayden Narveson, their rookie kicker, missed a 43-yarder that proved to be massive. You can’t leave points on the board against an offense that can grind out four-minute drills with a guy like Barkley.
Defensive Struggles and the Slippery Surface
The field was the biggest story outside of the score. Players were swapping cleats like they were in a pit stop at NASCAR. It affected everything. Pass rushers couldn't bend the edge because their feet would fly out from under them. Wide receivers were rounding off their routes because a hard cut meant ending up on your backside.
Vic Fangio’s defense in Philly looked... okay. It’s a work in progress. They gave up some massive explosive plays, which is exactly what Fangio is supposed to prevent. However, they tightened up when it mattered. Zack Baun, a guy many saw as a depth piece, ended up with 15 tackles and two sacks. He was everywhere. On the other side, the Packers' new defensive scheme under Jeff Hafley showed flashes, forcing Hurts into some bad decisions, but they couldn't stop the run when the Eagles decided to bully them.
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The Moment the Stadium Went Silent: Jordan Love’s Injury
The game ended on a sour note for anyone who loves football. With seconds left, Jordan Love got caught in a dynamic tackle. He was screaming in pain. You could hear it on the broadcast. He had to be helped off the field, and Malik Willis had to come in for the final heave-ho.
Josh Jacobs was a workhorse for Green Bay, finishing with 84 yards, but the offense felt disjointed once Love was struggling. It's tough. You travel all that way, play a competitive game, and lose your franchise quarterback in the final moments. The final score of 34-29 feels secondary to the health of a guy who just signed a $220 million contract.
Philly fans are breathing a sigh of relief, though. They started 1-0. In the NFC, that’s massive. Jalen Hurts finished 20-of-34 for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and two picks. Not a perfect stat line. Not even a great one by his standards. But he made the throws to A.J. Brown (who went for 119 yards) when the pressure was at its peak.
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Key Stats You Might Have Missed
- Saquon Barkley: 109 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards, 3 total TDs.
- Jayden Reed: 138 total yards, 2 TDs.
- Total Penalties: Both teams looked rusty. There were flags everywhere, mostly pre-snap stuff that drove the coaches crazy.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Philly went 3-for-3. Green Bay went 1-for-4. That's the game right there.
Why This Win Matters for the Eagles
Starting the season with a win in a neutral (and difficult) environment is a culture setter. Nick Sirianni was under a microscope all summer. People wanted to know if he’d lost the locker room after last year's tailspin. Winning a gritty, ugly, high-scoring game in Brazil suggests that this team has some backbone left.
DeVonta Smith was the unsung hero, as usual. He had 7 catches for 84 yards, consistently moving the chains on third down. The Eagles' offensive line, even without the legendary Jason Kelce, held up surprisingly well. Cam Jurgens had some snapping issues—one led to a fumble—but the protection for Hurts was mostly solid.
For the Packers, it’s back to the drawing board and the training room. They showed they can score with anyone. Their young receivers are legit. But if Love is out for a significant amount of time, the NFC North race just changed completely.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're tracking the NFC playoff race or just looking at your fantasy roster, here is what you need to do based on this game:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Everything for Green Bay hinges on the severity of Jordan Love's lower-leg injury. If it's an ACL or a high-ankle sprain, their season outlook shifts from "Super Bowl sleeper" to "survival mode."
- Value Saquon Barkley Properly: If you have him in fantasy, you're ecstatic. If you don't, expect the Eagles to continue using him as a high-volume bell cow. He is the focal point of this offense now, not just a piece of it.
- Don't Overreact to Defensive Stats: The field conditions in São Paulo were unique. Don't assume the Eagles' secondary is "fixed" or that the Packers' pass rush is "weak" until we see them play on standard NFL turf in Week 2.
- Watch Jayden Reed: He is clearly the WR1 in Green Bay regardless of what the depth chart says. His versatility in the run game makes him a nightmare for opposing linebackers.
The Eagles head back to Philly with a win in their pockets and a long flight to think about how to clean up those turnovers. The Packers head home with a lot of questions and a very concerned fan base.