Lead
DeVonta Smith’s fourth-quarter touchdown catch gave the Philadelphia Eagles a 10-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, preserving the defending Super Bowl champions’ winning streak. Jalen Hurts connected with Smith on a 36-yard pass to create a two-score lead with about 10 minutes remaining. Green Bay closed the gap when Josh Jacobs scored on a six-yard run with under six minutes left, but a 64-yard field-goal attempt by Brandon McManus in the final seconds came up short. The result left the Packers behind Detroit and Chicago in the NFC North while the Eagles extended their run atop the NFC East.
Key Takeaways
- The final score was Philadelphia Eagles 10, Green Bay Packers 7 at Lambeau Field.
- DeVonta Smith’s decisive catch was a 36-yard touchdown from Jalen Hurts with roughly 10 minutes to play.
- Josh Jacobs scored on a six-yard rush for Green Bay with under six minutes remaining.
- Brandon McManus missed a 64-yard field-goal attempt in the closing seconds that would have tied the game.
- Packers quarterback Jordan Love lost a fumble on a potential scoring drive in the final minute of the first half.
- The Eagles extended a three-game winning streak and remain top of the NFC East; the Packers dropped to third in the NFC North.
Background
Philadelphia entered the matchup as the reigning Super Bowl champions looking to maintain momentum in the early part of the season. The Eagles’ offense has relied on a balance of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ mobility and targeted downfield connections, with DeVonta Smith one of the primary downfield threats. Green Bay, rebuilding under quarterback Jordan Love, has shown flashes but remains vulnerable to turnovers and stalled drives in tight games. Lambeau Field—known for its unforgiving conditions late in the year—was a neutral backdrop for a defensive contest that neither offense could consistently dominate.
Both teams had reasons to treat the game as a measuring stick. Philadelphia wanted to reinforce its status atop the NFC East, while Green Bay aimed to climb in a competitive NFC North where Detroit and Chicago currently sit ahead. Special teams and single pivotal plays have been decisive in several recent low-scoring NFL contests; kickers and return units can swing field position and momentum when offenses struggle. Head coaches on both sidelines emphasized a physical, four-quarter approach in pregame remarks, setting expectations for a close, grind-it-out affair.
Main Event
The game’s lone touchdown for Philadelphia arrived in the fourth quarter when Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard score that stretched the lead to 10-0 with about 10 minutes left on the clock. The play was set up by a sustained drive that moved the ball into Packers territory, and the connection with Smith capitalized on a defensive alignment that left a seam downfield. Earlier, both teams traded field-goal attempts and defensive stands, forcing punts and limiting explosive plays through the first three quarters.
Green Bay answered late in the fourth when Josh Jacobs punched in a six-yard touchdown run, narrowing the margin and setting up a tense finish. The Packers then drove into field-goal range and opted for a long attempt by veteran kicker Brandon McManus in the closing seconds. The 64-yard try was unsuccessful, ensuring the Eagles held on for the one-score victory.
Turnovers had an outsized impact on the contest. Jordan Love fumbled during a drive in the final minute of the first half, negating a promising scoring opportunity and influencing field position after the break. Each team’s defense forced several three-and-outs and pressured the opposing quarterbacks at key moments, contributing to the low overall score. Penalties and missed plays on offense were cited by Green Bay’s coach as costly in an otherwise well-fought defensive game.
Analysis & Implications
Philadelphia’s win reinforces the team’s defensive reliability and ability to execute a timely big play when opportunities arise. The touchdown to DeVonta Smith underlined Hurts’ capacity to make high-value downfield throws and the Eagles’ trust in their receiving corps. Maintaining a three-game winning streak keeps Philadelphia in control of the NFC East picture, where consistency remains a deciding factor over a long season.
For Green Bay the loss highlights persistent offensive inconsistencies and the high cost of turnovers in tight contests. Jordan Love’s fumble on a near-scoring drive in the first half erased a chance to build momentum, and the offense struggled to convert enough sustained drives against a stout Eagles defense. Special teams nearly delivered a dramatic equalizer, but the missed 64-yard attempt illustrates the thin margin for error when relying on extreme-range kicks.
Looking ahead, the Eagles will aim to leverage this victory into continued divisional strength, while Green Bay must address ball security and red-zone efficiency to climb out of the NFC North logjam. Both clubs can draw lessons about situational play-calling and tempo management in late-game sequences; coaches will likely review fourth-quarter decisions and third-down strategies in the film room. The result may influence roster and schematic adjustments before each team’s next matchup.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Key Scoring Play | Yardage | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | DeVonta Smith touchdown catch from Jalen Hurts | 36 yards | ~10 minutes remaining, 4th quarter |
| Green Bay Packers | Josh Jacobs rushing touchdown | 6 yards | <6 minutes remaining, 4th quarter |
| Green Bay Packers | Brandon McManus field-goal attempt (missed) | 64 yards (attempt) | Final seconds |
| Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love fumble (near scoring drive) | — | Final minute, 1st half |
The table above condenses the primary scoring and game-altering plays. Neither offense produced multiple touchdowns; the game hinged on a single successful aerial score and a late rushing response. Field-position swings from turnovers and punts were decisive, as both defenses limited long sustained drives. Special teams’ range decisions factored into the outcome, with Green Bay electing a very long field-goal attempt rather than an alternate approach in the final possession.
Reactions & Quotes
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur summarized his team’s view of the contest and the performance that followed.
“We knew it was going to be a four-quarter fist fight.”
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers (postgame)
LaFleur also pointed to defensive effort amid offensive miscues that ultimately decided the final margin.
“Our defence was outstanding and, unfortunately, just too many mistakes offensively to overcome it.”
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers (postgame)
Those remarks framed Green Bay’s assessment: a defense that kept the team in the game but an offense that could not consistently convert opportunities into points. Philadelphia’s locker-room comments emphasized the value of the big-play connection that produced the game’s lone touchdown.
Unconfirmed
- Whether any undisclosed injuries on either roster meaningfully affected play-calling late in the game remains unverified.
- The internal evaluation of play-calling vs. execution as the primary cause of Green Bay’s offensive miscues has not been publicly detailed by the teams.
- Any special teams or weather-related nuance that might have influenced the 64-yard attempt’s likelihood of success has not been fully disclosed.
Bottom Line
The Eagles’ 10-7 victory at Lambeau Field hinged on one high-value play and a stout defensive effort that kept the defending champions in control of a tight game. Philadelphia’s ability to produce a single explosive touchdown and then rely on its defense preserved the win and sustained its early-season momentum. Green Bay showed defensive resilience but must correct offensive lapses and turnover issues to convert close contests into wins.
Both teams leave the matchup with clear takeaways: the Eagles can build on their late-game execution, while the Packers need cleaner offensive decisions and improved ball security. The result will influence short-term strategies and underscores how narrow margins—one catch or one missed field goal—can decide low-scoring NFL games.
Sources
- BBC Sport — media report and game recap