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By quarterbacks, this is a marquee matchup. The rest of the rosters... it could be lopsided.
When and where: Week 4, Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field
Last season: 6-9-1. Offense: Scoring 14th, Yards 12, DVOA 7th; Defense: Scoring 22nd, Yards 18th, DVOA 29th
Notable additions: Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, Billy Turner, HC Matt LeFleur
Notable losses: Randall Cobb, Clay Matthews. HC Mike McCarthy
What are they good at?
As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the floor of the Packers offense should be pretty good. But last season they were held to 17 or fewer points six times, including a shutout. Can Matt LeFleur make it better? He’ll need to, because the defense needs a lot of work. This is a rebuilding team with a rookie head coach, but also with a Hall of Fame quarterback, though he’s 35. That makes them both not particularly good, and dangerous.
What are they bad at?
The Packers couldn’t stop anyone last year, and that could be the case again this year. Mike Pettine returns as defensive coordinator, and they’ve given him some new faces through both free agency and the draft, where they took Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage in the first round. If he can get them to be an average defense, this should be a playoff team.
Why the Eagles will win
At risk of sounding like a broken record, because they’re the better team. That’s what happens when you’re a Super Bowl contender with an MVP caliber QB and one of the best head coaches in the game: you have a lot of built in advantages. Additionally, it’s going to take time for the Packers and their new head coach to adjust to each other. The Eagles benefit from playing this game in Week 4 rather than Week 14.
Why the Eagles will lose
It’s easy to leave it at “Aaron Rodgers” because Aaron Rodgers is excellent, and that could be enough. And maybe it is for the Packers. But they also get the bonus of hosting this game, which is on Thursday Night. If Matt LeFleur is the next big thing and if the changes to the defense pan out, this could be a very good team.