The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will start the 2024 season in Brazil on Friday night. The international game — the first regular season game ever played in South America — will be available exclusively on Peacock, the streaming service.
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 11 showdown with the Eagles will go down:
Zach Kruse: Packers 27, Eagles 23 (0-0)
A battle of NFC contenders that finished the 2023 season pointed in completely opposite directions. The Packers must prove they can handle the Eagles along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, but the matchup of Jordan Love’s passing game against the Eagles secondary — which is littered with question marks — could swing this game Green Bay’s way. Wouldn’t it be crazy if Xavier McKinney pulled an Adrian Amos and delivered the game-sealing interception in his first game as a Packer?
Brandon Carwile: Packers 21, Eagles 17 (0-0)
The Eagles are coming off a rough end to the 2023 season, finishing 1-6, capped by a playoff blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, with the addition of Saquon Barkley and changes at both offensive and defensive coordinator, they’re aiming to reclaim their contender status. Meanwhile, the Packers are looking to build on last year’s success, when they were the youngest team in the NFL and still managed to win a playoff game (nearly two). Jordan Love returns with his talented group of young pass catchers, and Josh Jacobs steps in as the new lead running back. Against a Vic Fangio-coached defense, I’m not expecting big numbers from Love, but I do anticipate a heavy dose of Jacobs, who should play a major role in the game plan. This matchup will likely be close throughout and low-scoring, with the Eagles adjusting to their new offensive system and the Packers facing a well-coached defense. In the end, I think the Packers will make just enough plays to secure the win.
Brennen Rupp: Eagles 27, Packers 24 (0-0)
I’m picking the Packers to win 13 games, but dropping the season opener. Too many questions linger for the Packers in this matchup with the Eagles, which I expect to be a wire-to-wire affair. Will the run defense under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley be able to slow down Saquon Barkley? Can Eric Stokes handle his matchup with Devonta Smith or AJ Brown? Will Josh Myers be able to handle Philadelphia’s stud on the interior of their defensive line? In a matchup of what could end up being two of the best teams in the NFC, I’ll give the slight edge to the Eagles.
Greg Williams: Packers 27, Eagles 24 (0-0)
Heading into Week 1, both the Packers and Eagles have striking similarities, making this matchup a compelling start to the season. Both teams have hired new defensive coordinators, with the Packers bringing in Jeff Hafley and the Eagles turning to the experienced Vic Fangio. Offensively, both teams have added superstar running backs to power their ground game – Josh Jacobs for the Packers and Saquon Barkley for the Eagles. Lastly, both franchises have set their sights on a Super Bowl run and this game could set the tone for their season.
The Packers could lean heavily on Jacobs in his debut, especially with the Eagles defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards allowed per game. A heavy dose of Jacobs could wear down the Eagles’ defensive front and create favorable passing situations for Jordan Love and the passing game. The Eagles will be without some familiar faces as Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Kevin Byard, and Avonte Maddox are no longer with the team and new linebacker Devin White has been ruled out for Friday.
There’s a lot of things going for the Packers; however, this will be Hafley’s first game as a defensive coordinator in the NFL and going against the Eagles offense won’t be easy. I expect this to be a back-and-forth affair and could see the Packers defense on the field for the last drive. It would be something to see if Hafley’s defense comes up with a game ending turnover to start the season.
| Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
| Zach Kruse | Win | 27-23 | 0-0 |
| Brandon Carwile | Win | 21-17 | 0-0 |
| Brennen Rupp | Lose | 27-24 | 0-0 |
| Greg Williams | Win | 27-24 | 0-0 |
