Well, that was harder than it should’ve been. The Eagles had moments where they looked like an elite team, and then there were times where they looked more like the Giants. Nevertheless, the Eagles beat the Packers Friday night in Brazil 34-29 and now sit comfortably atop the NFC standings, at least until Sunday. Let’s dive into 10 observations from last night’s game.

1. Jalen Looked Rusty

Not only did Jalen Hurts look rusty, but the entire offense appeared sluggish. The Eagles had three possessions in the first quarter and only managed 37 yards. On their first possession, Hurts threw a late pass over the middle that was easily intercepted. On the next drive, a miscommunication with center Cam Jurgens led to a snap before Hurts was ready. But it wasn’t all bad for the fifth-year QB. It was nice to see him command the offense without Jason Kelce. On one play, when the Packers brought pressure, Hurts recognized it, called a hot route, and hit A.J. Brown on an out route before the blitz arrived.

As a runner, Hurts looked okay (though the read option might need to be scrapped), and when the pocket collapsed, he extended plays and appeared healthier than last season. Hurts finished the night 20/34 for 278 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and a passer rating of 80.3. While those two interceptions (especially the one in the end zone) were inexcusable and nearly cost the Eagles the game, when Hurts settled in, he demonstrated he can be elite—and that’s exactly what the Eagles need.

2. Saquon is an Eagle

It still feels surreal. The Giants let their best player walk, and Barkley joined a division rival. He couldn’t have asked for a better debut in Philly, finishing with 24 carries for 109 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, plus 2 catches for 23 yards and another TD. At times, it seemed like he struggled to gain traction, likely due to the poor field conditions (Packers vs. Eagles on ice!). But Barkley’s impact was undeniable, and Giants fans are surely furious at their front office right now.

3. The Offensive Line Struggled in Pass Protection, But Excelled in Run Blocking

This line looked like a group that hadn’t played together in a while. While they only allowed 2 sacks, Hurts was frequently forced to throw the ball away due to constant pressure. The Packers weren’t blitzing heavily—most of the pressure came from a simple four-man rush. Jordan Mailata got beat a few times, and Cam Jurgens looked shaky, which was somewhat expected. Am I worried about this unit? Not really. This is likely the worst they’ll perform all season, as they shake off the rust from an eight-month hiatus. On the bright side, run blocking looked like a strength. The Eagles might bully some teams in the trenches this year. Just check out this block from Mekhi Becton!

GET UP THERE BIG FELLA https://t.co/4cRVdDCLrW

— The Linc Lineup (@TheLincLineup) September 7, 2024

If Saquon can stay healthy, he’s in for a career year behind this line.

4. Avonte Maddox Struggled

It was a tough night for Maddox, as Jordan Love and the Packers consistently targeted him. I think Maddox is a great guy and well-liked in the locker room, but he didn’t play at the level expected last night. With Cooper DeJean still recovering from injury, it may be time to consider other options in the secondary.

5. Nakobe Dean Shined

I initially planned to group the linebackers together, but Nakobe Dean’s performance deserves its own highlight. He played with aggression, looking every bit like the steal he was in the draft three years ago. Dean showed excellent football IQ, often diagnosing plays before they developed. While he had some hiccups in zone coverage, overall, he allowed just 1 reception on 4 targets for 29 yards. Dean nearly had a pick-six that could have iced the game, but unfortunately, he dropped it. Even so, I don’t see a scenario where Devin White takes over his spot.

6. Zack Baun Played Out of His Mind

I was initially skeptical about Baun, but his performance put my doubts to rest. He finished with 15 total tackles, 2 sacks (including the game-sealing one), and 1 tackle for loss. Baun was also solid in coverage, allowing only 3 receptions for 11 yards. This linebacker group already feels lightyears ahead of last year’s, and even if an injury hits, I’m confident they’ll still perform better than last season. I’m excited to see how they handle the Falcons next week.

7. The Interior Defensive Line Was Solid; the EDGE, Not So Much

Jalen Carter was a wrecking ball, wreaking havoc in the middle. Jordan Davis didn’t record any stats but did his job by clogging up the rushing lanes. Ojomo, Williams, and Booker also contributed, and I’m eager to see them build on their solid performances. However, the EDGE rushers struggled. I’ll give them a pass due to the slick field conditions, but if this continues against the Falcons, we might need to explore trade options before the deadline.

8. Quinyon Mitchell Can Play

Quinyon Mitchell was tested early, and he responded well. I love his swagger, and it’s refreshing to see a DB talking trash after making plays. Mitchell allowed 4 receptions on 9 targets and a passer rating of 66.9 when targeted. He and Ringo could be the next Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown. The Eagles have been searching for a duo like that since those two left, and the future is bright in the secondary.

9. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith Are Still Elite

While Smith’s stat line wasn’t eye-popping (7 catches for 84 yards), he came through in clutch moments. Brown’s 67-yard touchdown catch was a thing of beauty, as he simply outran everyone on the field. Kellen Moore is going to have these two breaking records this year. And once Dotson gets more involved, this offense is going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

10. That Field Was Awful

The biggest story from this game may have been the condition of the field. Players were slipping all over, routes requiring precise timing were impossible, pass rushers couldn’t maintain their footing, and tackling was a nightmare. For the NFL to let an international game, with the world watching, take place on that surface is embarrassing. Luckily, the Eagles play at home next week, and thankfully, they only have to visit MetLife once this season. The Eagles walked away from Brazil healthy, and that’s all we can ask for.