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This week is a big one. The Green Bay Packers have a highly leveraged roster on the salary cap, meaning that their best opportunity to win the Super Bowl over the next five-ish seasons is right now. Despite that, the team has proven to be inconsistent thus far, with a loss on Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles giving the Packers the prospect of winning just 5 games in the first 10 weeks of the season.
If Green Bay drops this one, against the reigning Super Bowl champions, anything is possible. Right now, the Packers are technically favorites in this matchup and are considered to be a top-four team in the NFL per Vegas power rankings. With another loss, though, things can change very quickly.
To help us break down this game, we’re joined this week by Bleeding Green Nation’s Brandon Lee Gowton, who will answer our questions about the Eagles.
Obviously, the Eagles made a bunch of trades near the deadline, adding cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander, along with pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips. What are the expected roles for these new players in this game?
Jaelan Phillips could conceivably lead all Eagles edge rushers in snaps played. The learning curve with a new team should be mitigated by the fact that he’s already played for Vic Fangio in the past. The Eagles traded for Phillips because they’ve lacked pass rush juice. Considering that he ranks 12th in true pressure rate (via Brandon Thorn) and fourth in high quality pressures per snap, the expectation is that he should be able an impact right away. Whereas the Eagles last played a game with just three healthy full-time edge rushers, they should have now have a five-man rotation that features Phillips, Nolan Smith (returning from IR), Jalyx Hunt, Brandon Graham (first game back from unretiring), and Joshua Uche.
Roles for the Eagles’ new defensive backs currently aren’t clear in part due to the uncertainty at CB2. If the Eagles want to move Cooper DeJean to the outside, they could start Michael Carter II in the slot. But Fangio has been reluctant to move DeJean since he’s been so good as a nickel defender. MC2 might just be a backup slot and special teams contributor for now. Old friend Jaire Alexander, meanwhile, could be in the mix to start on the outside. It would be surprising to see him take over that role since he only just joined the team. Then again, the Eagles don’t have great options at CB2. Week 1 starter Adoree’ Jackson has yet to fully practice since suffering a concussion in Week 7. Kelee Ringo was supposed to be the CB2 starter this year but he’s largely been a disappointment. Jakorian Bennett might get a look now that he’s seemingly ready to come off injured reserve. If Alexander isn’t starting, I guess he’ll be active as a backup?
**For all the complaints about quarterback Jalen Hurts to start the season, he’s been on an elite run over the last...
