Saquon Barkley might be wishing Packers in Brazil he could stay in the Southern Hemisphere after Friday night, while the Green Bay Packers are eager to return home.
In his debut with the Philadelphia Eagles, the first NFL game ever held in Brazil or south of the equator, Saquon Barkley stole the spotlight. He had an impressive performance, accumulating 132 yards from scrimmage and tying his career high Packers in Brazil with three touchdowns in a thrilling 34-29 victory over the Packers.
However, the loss might be the least of the Packers’ concerns, as franchise quarterback Jordan Love sustained a lower-body injury with just 6 seconds remaining on the final drive. He had to be assisted off Packers in Brazil the field, leaving newly acquired backup Malik Willis to take the final two snaps. Willis was unable to advance the ball, and Eagles linebacker Zack Baun sacked him at midfield on the last play of the game as time ran out.
Barkley scored an 18-yard touchdown reception from Jalen Hurts in the second quarter and added two more rushing touchdowns. The Eagles nearly sealed the victory with a 16-play, 67-yard drive on their final possession, which ended in a field goal but Packers in Brazil consumed half of the fourth-quarter clock.
Packers receiver Jayden Reed kept pace with Barkley early in the game, finding the end zone both through the air and Packers in Brazil on the ground in the second quarter. Reed ended the game with 171 yards from scrimmage on just five touches.
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The Green Bay defense, under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, struggled to get off the field throughout the game. On offense, the Packers managed only one touchdown on four red-zone opportunities. Additionally, rookie kicker Brayden Narveson’s missed field goal at the end of the third quarter proved costly. Packers in Brazil These errors overshadowed Jalen Hurts’ three turnovers—two interceptions and a fumble, the latter of which was partly due to a bad snap from new starting center Cam Jurgens.
Both the Packers and Eagles, who were playoff teams last year, appear well-positioned to make a return in 2024—assuming Jordan Love’s injury isn’t severe. Packers in Brazil However, both teams have areas to improve. Philadelphia has the advantage of a 10-day break before their next game, a home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football” in Week 2.
The Packers are set to host the Indianapolis Colts on September 15.
Here’s a recap of the key moments from the game:
Eagles Secure 34-29 Lead Late in Fourth Quarter:
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles expertly managed the clock during a field goal drive that lasted seven minutes and 25 seconds, leaving just 27 seconds on the clock in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles advanced the ball to Green Bay’s one-yard line, but on third-and-goal from that spot, Hurts fumbled the direct snap and nearly Packers in Brazil lost possession. Fortunately for Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley recovered the loose ball, allowing the Eagles to secure a 21-yard field goal.
The Eagles hold a 34-29 lead with just 27 seconds remaining.
Saquon Barkley Shines in Historic Debut:
“Saquon Barkley Racks Up 127+ Yards and Three Touchdowns, Packers in BrazilTying Record for Most TDs in a Team Debut Since the Super Bowl Era”
Packers’ Field Goal Narrows Philly Lead to Two:
In a game Packers in Brazil that feels like an NFC heavyweight clash, the Green Bay Packers have been struggling but managed to get back in the fight with a crucial field goal.
After rookie Brayden Narveson missed a 43-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter, he redeemed himself with a 26-yarder midway Packers in Brazil through the fourth, trimming Philadelphia’s lead to 31-29. In the meantime, cornerback Jaire Alexander’s end-zone interception prevented what could have been a decisive blow from the Eagles.
Green Bay’s ensuing drive spanned 79 yards on 10 plays, with RB Josh Jacobs’ 32-yard run and WR Jayden Reed’s 26-yard reception Packers in Brazil accounting for most of the yardage. Jacobs, who had only 4 rushing yards before halftime, surged to 76 yards after the break.
Jalen Hurts Throws Interception in the Red Zone:
Jalen Hurts has been quite generous with the football in Brazil.
Following two turnovers in Packers in Brazil the first half, Hurts tried to force a pass into the end zone, which was intercepted by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander.
The interception marked Hurts’ third turnover of the game (two interceptions and one fumble), but the fourth-quarter pick might have been the most costly. The ill-advised pass not only prevented Philadelphia from scoring crucial points but also Packers in Brazil denied them a short field goal opportunity that could have given them a 34-26 lead.
Will John Mara Sleep Tonight?
As Saquon Barkley dominates the Green Bay Packers defense in his debut with Philadelphia, it’s impossible not to recall the offseason version of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which followed Barkley’s former team, the New York Giants. Packers in Brazil As the Giants deliberated whether to re-sign their star player or allocate funds to multiple veterans to strengthen a depleted roster, team owner John Mara’s words to GM Schoen as free agency began are hard to forget.
“I’ll have a hard time sleeping if Saquon ends up in Philadelphia, I can tell you that,” Mara said in Schoen’s office. “As I’ve mentioned Packers in Brazil before, having been around enough players, he’s far and away the most popular player we have.”
You might want to pour yourself a strong drink before hitting the hay tonight, Mr. Mara. It already feels like the G-Men are starting the season at 0-1—at the very least.
Saquon Barkley up to three TDs in Eagles debut:
The Eagles defense secured their first takeaway of the night.
Packers QB Jordan Love threw off his back foot, sending an errant pass intended for TE Luke Musgrave. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship quickly closed in and made an impressive diving catch to secure the interception.
Blankenship was ruled down at the Packers’ 25-yard line.
The Eagles needed only four plays Packers in Brazil to capitalize on the turnover and score a touchdown.
The Eagles called three consecutive runs for Saquon Barkley, with the third run resulting in a 2-yard touchdown. This score gave the Eagles a 31-26 lead with 4:26 left in the third quarter.
Barkley is only the second Eagles player ever to score three touchdowns in a debut. This marks the second time in his career that Barkley Packers in Brazil has recorded a touchdown hat trick. Over his last two regular-season games, including his time with the Giants, the running back has now tallied five touchdowns.
Watson’s Touchdown Puts Packers Back in the Lead:
The scoring barrage in the Southern Packers in Brazil Hemisphere continues, with Green Bay getting plenty of assistance from the Eagles on their latest touchdown drive.
QB Jordan Love’s 2-yard touchdown pass to WR Christian Watson gave the Packers a 26-24 lead in the third quarter. Green Bay’s six-play, 70-yard drive was extended twice due to costly penalties by the Eagles on third down. Packers in Brazil The first infraction occurred when LB Zach Baun was penalized for roughing Love, despite the hit not seeming particularly severe, granting the Packers a first down at the Eagles’ 46-yard line (a pass interference call on the same play was declined).
Next, Love connected with TE Tucker Kraft for a 29-yard gain, and a few plays later, an Avonte Maddox defensive pass interference penalty Packers in Brazil set up the touchdown pass from Love to Watson.
A.J. Brown Gives Eagles the Lead Early in the Third Quarter:
The Eagles came out strong in the second half.
Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a 67-yard touchdown just Packers in Brazil two plays into the third quarter, allowing Philadelphia to regain the lead at 24-19.
The drive consumed only 51 seconds of the third-quarter clock. The 64-yard touchdown is Philadelphia’s longest play of Packers in Brazil the night.
Brown leads the game with four catches for 108 receiving yards and a touchdown.”Halftime Stats
Eagles Narrow Packers’ Lead:
The Packers hold a 19-17 lead at halftime.
Jake Elliott made a 38-yard field goal Packers in Brazil to close the first half, trimming Philadelphia’s deficit.
The Eagles are fortunate to be Packers in Brazil trailing by just 2 points after committing two turnovers in the first half.
The first half saw a couple of explosive plays from Green Bay, including a 70-yard touchdown reception by WR Jayden Reed. However, the Packers struggled on third downs, converting only 2 of 6 attempts, and went 0 for 2 in the red zone.
Reed and Eagles star Saquon Barkley each Packers in Brazil scored two touchdowns in the first half for their respective teams.
Reed leads the game with 79 receiving yards, while Barkley has accumulated 54 yards from scrimmage.
Jordan Love has accumulated 130 passing yards and one touchdown.
Jalen Hurts threw for 154 yards in Packers in Brazil the first half but also recorded a fumble and an interception.
Another Answer from Jayden Reed:
In a game rapidly turning into a head-to-head showdown between Eagles RB Saquon Barkley and Packers WR Jayden Reed, Packers in Brazil Reed responded to Barkley’s touchdown with one of his own for the second time on Friday night. His 70-yard catch-and-run put Green Bay back in the lead at 19-14.
Reed made a deep catch over the middle of the field from QB Jordan Love, who had ample time to step up in the pocket before making the throw. Reed then easily outpaced DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson over the final 40 yards to score the touchdown.
Reed has accumulated 112 yards and two touchdowns Packers in Brazil from scrimmage on just three touches tonight.
Eagles regain lead after Saquon Barkley TD run:
Running back Saquon Barkley slipped on his first carry as a Philadelphia Eagle, but he has quickly made up for it.
Barkley has reached the end zone on Packers in Brazil consecutive possessions.
The Eagles running back finished a nine-play, 70-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run up the middle.
Philadelphia leads 14-12 with 5:34 remaining in the first half.
Barkley has racked up 49 yards from Packers in Brazil scrimmage and two touchdowns in his first half with the Eagles.
Jordan Love: QB1 in Year 2:
The Packers star is entering his fifth NFL season, though it’s only his second as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. In his first season as QB1 last year, he achieved something that predecessors Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers couldn’t in their debut Packers in Brazil seasons: leading the Packers to the playoffs.
So, what will Love do next?
Both Favre and Rodgers made the playoffs in their second year as starters but fell short of the Super Bowl. Rodgers secured the Lombardi Trophy in Year 3, while Favre reached it in Year 5. Could Love surpass both? As one of the league’s most Packers in Brazil dynamic quarterbacks in the second half of the 2023 season, he nearly pulled off an upset against the 49ers in the divisional round. USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts are optimistic about his prospects for 2024, with expectations that might seem bold collectively.
Packers Respond and Reclaim the Lead:
It’s amazing what you can achieve when you stay on your feet.
On a night when players from both teams are struggling with the slippery conditions at Corinthians Arena, Packers WR Jayden Reed had no trouble maintaining his footing. He sprinted 33 yards for a go-ahead touchdown with 10:16 left in the second quarter. Packers in Brazil Reed took an end-around handoff from QB Jordan Love and sliced through the Philadelphia defense to finish a five-play, 70-yard drive. Following a penalty on the Eagles, the Packers attempted a two-point conversion, but RB Josh Jacobs was stopped short, keeping their lead at 12-7. Reed and RB2 Emanuel Wilson have combined for 70 yards on four carries, while Jacobs, Green Bay’s top offseason free Packers in Brazil agent signing, has managed only 4 yards on six attempts so far.
Saquon Barkley Records First Touchdown with Eagles:
The Eagles overcame a rough start.
Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley Packers in Brazil spearheaded an 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead with 12:38 left in the second quarter.
Barkley, the Eagles’ top offseason acquisition, made an 11-yard run up the middle to advance Philadelphia to Green Bay’s 28-yard line. On the next play, Hurts connected with Barkley on a wheel route for an 18-yard touchdown.
The touchdown marked Barkley’s first as an Eagle and matched the total number of receiving touchdowns by running backs Packers in Brazil that new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had last year with the Chargers.