Football is BACK! I’ve probably said that more times than I care to admit, but it’s true. Tonight, the NFL season kicks off with the Ravens traveling to Kansas City to face the Chiefs. And tomorrow… your Philadelphia Eagles will be in Brazil to open their season against the Packers. I’m pumped, and I’m sure you are too!

As you know, the Eagles finished last season with one of the worst collapses imaginable after starting 10-1, including victories over the Bills and Chiefs. Despite that rough stretch, there’s reason for optimism, as plenty of changes have been made, particularly on the coaching front. Today, let’s break down the three key matchups I’ll be keeping a close eye on Friday night.

Eagles Linebackers vs. Packers Passing Game

Last season, the Eagles struggled mightily to cover the middle of the field on pass plays. If you watched the 49ers game, you saw just how bad it got (I saw it up close because I was there). Now, with new linebackers and a fresh defensive coordinator, Friday night will be an important first test for this revamped defense.

Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean will be the starting linebackers, and I’m cautiously optimistic. Baun has been receiving a ton of praise from coaches, while Dean seems determined to prove himself on what he’s calling his “revenge tour.” Both linebackers excel at blitzing and rushing the passer, but the real question is whether they’ll improve our pass coverage, particularly over the middle. Baun might be average at best in coverage, and Dean’s size raises concerns, especially against bigger tight ends. But despite being labeled as one of the weakest linebacker rooms in the league, I believe the potential is there for them to surprise some people. This game could be their chance to show they’re better than the consensus suggests.

Jalen Hurts vs. Packers Blitz

By now, you’ve probably heard the report from an anonymous defensive coordinator claiming that all you have to do is blitz Jalen Hurts, and he’ll crumble, often resulting in negative plays. While Hurts did struggle against the blitz last year, it’s important to remember it was the only season where he faced that issue. The problem may not have been Hurts himself but rather the coaching and lack of proper adjustments.

Let’s look at some numbers from Dak Prescott when Kellen Moore was his offensive coordinator in Dallas for four years. When blitzed, Prescott completed 64% of his passes, threw 40 TDs to 12 INTs, and averaged 13.9 yards per completion, with a 107.7 QB rating. When not blitzed, those numbers dropped slightly: 68% completion, 59 TDs to 28 INTs, 11.3 yards per completion, and a 97.2 rating. The key takeaway is that when the blitz came, big plays often followed. That’s what needs to happen when defenses get aggressive—you have to make them pay.

Last year, Hurts struggled with the blitz, but watching the All-22 film, it’s clear the Eagles’ offense didn’t have answers for it. Defenses took advantage. The Packers will likely blitz Hurts early and often, but with Kellen Moore now calling the shots, I’m curious to see how the offense counters. The Eagles need to be prepared to exploit the blitz, and this matchup will show us how much they’ve learned.

Eagles Defensive Line vs. Packers Offensive Line

This is where the Eagles absolutely need to win. The Packers’ offensive line has undergone some changes this offseason, losing key players like tackle David Bakhtiari and guard Jon Runyan Jr. The Eagles, on the other hand, lost their top pass rusher, Haason Reddick, who racked up 27 sacks over two seasons. The team brought in Bryce Huff to replace him. While it’s hard to replace a player of Reddick’s caliber, Huff and Josh Sweat will need to lead the way on the edge.

On the interior, Jalen Carter flashed All-Pro potential at times last season, and Milton Williams is poised for a breakout year as he enters a contract year. But the biggest question remains Jordan Davis. Can he take the next step the Eagles desperately need him to take? Will he be able to handle the number of snaps required, or will stamina issues continue to plague him? I’ll also be keeping an eye on the EDGE depth. Nolan Smith needs to show growth in his second year, and with Brandon Graham playing in what is likely his final season, you know he’s going to leave it all on the field.

This defensive line unit is key to the Eagles’ success this season, and how they perform against the Packers’ retooled offensive line will be telling.