It was a night of firsts: the NFL’s first game in the Southern Hemisphere, the first season opener on a Friday since 1970, and Saquon Barkley’s debut with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After a slow start, the second quarter saw both teams trade blows, with Barkley scoring twice and Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed also grabbing two touchdowns. The second half remained competitive until the Eagles pulled away to secure a 34-29 victory, ending with Packers quarterback Jordan Love on the sidelines with an apparent leg injury.
Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Philadelphia in the offseason, was electrifying in his Eagles debut. He rushed for over 100 yards and scored three touchdowns, including an 18-yard TD reception, solidifying the expectations surrounding his arrival. He became the second player in Eagles history to score three touchdowns in a debut, joining Terrell Owens in 2004. While Barkley needs to prove he can stay healthy throughout the season, he’s off to a sensational start.
Jalen Hurts had a mixed performance at quarterback, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once, though he led a critical game-sealing drive in the closing moments. The Eagles’ offense struggled early, gaining just 35 yards in the first quarter, their lowest since Week 17 of 2022.
Defensively, the Eagles showed some vulnerabilities. Despite holding the Packers to one touchdown in four red zone trips, they struggled with missed tackles and allowed explosive plays, including a 70-yard catch-and-run by Reed.
For Green Bay, Love completed 17 of 34 passes for 222 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. However, he had to exit late in the game due to a leg injury. Reed continued to show promise with a 33-yard rushing touchdown and a 70-yard receiving touchdown, becoming just the third player in 40 years to achieve both in a single game.
The Packers’ issues included penalties and missed opportunities, notably rookie kicker Brayden Narveson missing a crucial 43-yard field goal in the third quarter. Green Bay committed 10 penalties for 71 yards, with a pivotal third-quarter interception by Love that led to a Barkley touchdown, swinging the momentum in the Eagles’ favor.
Despite a competitive effort, Green Bay fell short, ending with a concerning injury for their quarterback and room for improvement on both sides of the ball.