GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 26: Jordan Howard #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 26, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles desperately needed a win on Thursday night, and they got it behind a domineering ground game and critical goal line defense.
Philadelphia may have saved its season in the land of cheese on Thursday night.
Surviving two red-zone scares in the fourth quarter, the Eagles emerged with a 34-27 win over the Green Bay Packers, evening their record at 2-2 at the regular season’s quarter pole.
Instead of relying on a big night from quarterback Carson Wentz, the Eagles rolled behind a power rushing attack and timely defense. Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders led a ground game that covered 176 yards and 5.3 yards per attempt to go with a pair of touchdowns. Wentz only notched 160 passing yards but added three scores of his own, finding Howard, Alshon Jeffery and Dallas Goedert for one apiece.
Defensively, Philadelphia allowed 499 yards. However, the Eagles stiffened midway through the fourth quarter. With 1st and Goal at the Eagles’ 1-yard line, Philadelphia forced four consecutive incompletions from Aaron Rodgers. In the final seconds, it was linebacker Nigel Bradham collecting a tipped ball for an interception at the goal line, effectively closing out the contest.
For the Eagles, staying within 1.5 games of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East is of paramount importance. Dallas faces the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome on Sunday night, giving Philadelphia hope to close the gap further before the week is out.
Ultimately, the season is in its early stages. But the NFL is a sprint, not a marathon, and the Eagles put forth a nice finishing kick to the first quarter.