Packers’ defense looks to bounce back from ‘bump in the road’

Cheesehead

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Mar 19, 2019
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Ultimately, it was on the ground where the Eagles really separated themselves. Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders combined for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, keeping Philadelphia’s offense in favorable down-and-distances.


The Eagles only had two plays of more than 20 yards but executed eight plays between 13 and 19 to keep the chains moving, converting on 5-of-9 third downs.


The longest play of the day for Philadelphia – Sanders’ 30-yard run at the end of the third quarter – opened the Eagles’ final scoring drive, culminating in a Howard 2-yard touchdown run to break a 27-27 tie.


“When we stop them on first down, get them on second-and-long, get them to third-and-7, we’re getting off the field,” defensive tackle Kenny Clark said. “We gotta do a better job of stopping the run and getting them in long-distance situations because we’re getting off the field on third down.”


The Eagles protected the football well en route to becoming the first team in 2019 to not concede a sack or a takeaway to Green Bay’s defense, which entered the game top three in both categories.


Conversely, a Philadelphia team that was minus-2 in turnover margin capitalized on two Packers turnovers, the second of which came in the Eagles’ end zone with only 20 seconds remaining and sealed their second victory of the year.


Injuries were an issue for Green Bay. In addition to Za’Darius Smith dealing with a knee injury, a defense already down two starters (Montravius Adams and Oren Burks) finished without defensive backs Kevin King (groin), Tony Brown (hamstring) and Will Redmond (evaluated for a concussion).
 
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