EAGLES SURVICE LAMBEAU – GRIND OUT WIN OVER PACKERS
- Al Thompson
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
GREEN BAY: According to AI Overview, the term "frozen tundra" is widely considered redundant, or a pleonasm, in a scientific or technical sense.
The definition of tundra, especially the most common type, Arctic tundra, includes the presence of a permanently frozen layer of ground called permafrost.
You won't here that expression in this story about the Eagles' 10-7 grind out victory at frigid Lambeau Field Monday night.
The Birds (7-2) simply fought through some awful elements...wet and cold...and a playing surface that was obviously too slick for either offenses to do their thing.
Head coach Nick Sirianni answered a question about how his team was able outlast the Packers who had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but veteran kicker and Buck County native Brandon McManus' 64-yard attempt was way off the mark.
“We talk a lot about physical toughness,” Sirianni said through a squeaky, hoarse voice at his post game press conference. “But there is mental toughness and being able to stay in the moment. We did that tonight.”
The Birds won the toss and deferred. After a Jalyx Hunt 11-yard sack blew up a promising opening drive for Green Bay, the Eagles started a promising drive of their own that was blown up when, after 17 snaps when after Jalen Hurts converted a third-and-eight at the Packers 14-yard line.
But a hard tackle by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper caused the Hurts to fumble, cornerback Keisean Nixon recovered the ball and returned it 22-yards to the Packers 36-yard line.
“I have to own that,” Hurts said after the game.
But no one scored until the 8:58 mark of the third quarter when Jake Elliott hit a 39-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
FIELD CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR
From the press box the field looked fine. But between moisture in the air, temperatures below freezing and a heated-from-underground field, the surface was difficult to maneuver on for both teams, but harder on the Eagles since they rarely play on it.
“It was cold,” Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson said at his locker after the game. “It's interesting when you get into climates like this, where the field is heated...different areas of the field, I guess, heat differently...so your footing can be fine for five, six yards, then you step one yard out of that and you start sliding.
“There were a couple times when my footing felt good, then I'd hit a spot and I would slide. It's definitely an advantage for the team that knows how to play on it, especially if you don't come out in the right cleats.”
Dickerson said many players were out on the field early to
“We go out pregame and test things out,” Dickerson continued. “Some guys felt they were good in the cleats they had. Some guys wanted to switch over to [a different shoe]. “
It was pointed out to Dickerson that it also helps the offense on slick surfaces since you know where you're going, the defense is chasing you.
“Well, yeah...the story of football is whoever scores more points is going to win the game. “
Then Dickerson pointed to drives the Eagles didn't finish that had nothing to do with field conditions. He took a mild shot at his quarterback.
“Yeah, definitely,” Dickerson said. “Coming out first quarter there, I think we had like a seven, eight minute drive, we were moving the ball...didn't finish in the Red Zone.
“For us I think we just have to have all eleven guys on the same page and taking advantage of the opportunities that teams give us.
“But props to the Green Bay, very good defense, well coached, good scheme, good players.”
Dickerson continued to talk about not taking advantage of what was in front of the offense.
“But for use we've just got to be able to take what they give us and make the best out of situations.
“Pass protection felt good. It's hard to evaluate without seeing the film. But overall we're just missing finishing.”
Second year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell said he just tried to stay in the moment and focus on what was in front of him.
“I just focused on my job,” said Mitchell, who got a hand on two Jordan Love passes. “And not think about the field being slick. I just went out there and made plays.”
Saquon Barkley was asked it hard to not get discouraged when the offense isn't clicking, like in the first half?
“No,” said Barkley. “Because this team is going to rise...that's the truth.”
Center Brett Toth, who filled in well again for the injured Cam Jurgens, talked about the Eagles taking care of a core stat and that was keeping Hurts free if sacks.
“Everyone wants to go out there and light up the scoreboard,” Toth said after the game. “At the end of the day, a win is a win. It's better to learn from a win than a loss for sure.”
Toth, like the rest of the offense heaped praise on the Packers defense.
“Unbelievable team on the other side there.”
It wasn't lost on Toth that star linebacker Micah Parsons recorded just two tackles, one solo.
“Unbelievable player, we all know that,” said Toth, who downplayed Parsons' numbers, or lack of. “Same thing, who knows? Any given Sunday, the next game he comes up big. He's the defensive player of the year candidate it seems to be every year. “
HURTS PUTS EVENTS OF THE GAME IN PERSPECTIVE – PAYS HOMAGE TO LAMBEAU
The score was still 3-0 Eagles going into the fourth quarter. The slick field conditions clearly had an impact on the players.
But with 12:46 left in the fourth quarter, the Eagles offense exploded as only it can.
First Hurts hit Barkley with a little out pass to his left. The 2024 offensive player of the year spun the catch into a 41-yard play that ended at the Packers 36-yard line.
On the next play. DeVonta Smith launched himself into a place only non-humans can go to...and with Packers safety Evan Williams draped all over him hauled in a 36-yard TD pass from Hurts to go up 10-with 10:35 left in fourth quarter.
Packers got back in the game on a Josh Jacobs drive...10-7 Birds with 5:49 left in the fourth.
But the Eagles defense would not let Green Bay get any closer
Hurts said he was aware of the history of Green Bay, its football team and its Tundra of a
stadium.
“I did something different that I had never done before,” Hurts said. “I went out before the game, checked the stadium and got a feel for the environment and the weather a bit.
“I felt that that was warranted given where we're playing at, how big a game it was coming in, knowing it's coming off a bye week against a really good opponent and we're entering a really big stretch.”
Hurts continued to talk about the moment.
“I'm fortunate to be where I am,” Hurts said. “I know I'm not here without the hard work the patience and taking the opportunity the organization has given me. I believe we've complete the cycle by winning at Lambeau.”
Hurts continued
“I think about how historic of a venue it is,” he said. “To find a way to win here as a collective group, in this environment, on Monday Night Football...it's a big time win. It is a testament to our team. Defense played lights out...lights out.”
Hurts was asked how he reacts when things are not going their way, like in the first half.
“You've got to play the next play,” Hurts said. “Take it a play at a time. It's an offense, it's a team that plays as one. There are times when things might not go a desired way. Ultimately it's how you respond to those things.
“When you look at a win like today, that's what it comes down to. The bottom line to go out there and find ways to win games.”
STATS AND MORE COMING
Jalen Carter on the debut of defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who was terrific recording six tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.
“He came in big,” Carter said at his locker after the game. I couldn't see him because I'm sealing my own block. But it's always been to stop the run first, that's the main goal is to stop the run. When we got up, he was always at the ball, he's always there, he's hustling.”
More...
Barkley rushed 22 times for 60 yards. He also caught three passes for 41 yards.
Hurts rushed five times for 27 yards.
DeVonta Smith caught four passes for 69 yards and a 36-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Hurts went 15 for 26 for 183 yards, one TD and no interceptions. He did lose a fumble on the Eagles first drive. He did not get sacked.
Josh Jacobs rushed 21 times for 74 yards and a TD. He lost a fumble.
Jordan Love was 20 for 36 for 176 yards. He was not intercepted but was sacked three times.
Love fumble twice, losing one of them.
In all the Packers fumbled three times, losing two if them.
Zack Baun led the Eagles with eight tackles (five solo).
Nakobe Dean recorded seven tackles (six solo) including a sack and forced a fumble
Reed Blankenship also recorded seven tackles (two solo). He forced a fumble and recovered one.
Jalyx Hunt had several monster plays including a first-quarter sack and two fumbles for loss. *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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