Packers-Eagles Recap: Green Bay outguns Philly in 24-9 preseason win

Thursday afternoon’s hail storm in Green Bay was an appropriate omen for the game to come. After all, preseason football is a lot like hail—messy and dangerous. After 7 combined turnovers and a slew of injuries, the Packers emerged victorious. The final score was 24-9.

The Eagles drew first blood, capping off a 10-play, 60-yard drive with a touchdown. Snapping from the Green Bay 38, Carson Wentz slipped through the fingers of a frothing Clay Matthews, finding WR Mack Hollins up the middle, who scampered diagonally to the end zone, leaving a few would-be tacklers in his wake.

On the following drive, RB Ty Montgomery saw his first carry stymied for a three yard loss. He then promptly fumbled his second carry thanks to a stalwart Fletcher Cox. Whether there is a real competition for the “starting running back” role remains to be seen. Regardless, it was not a good look for Montgomery.

The teams then exchanged sloppy, meandering possessions before the next points were scored. Trevor Davis, anxious to prove his mettle as a return man, fielded a Donnie Jones punt at the Green Bay 32-yard line, positioned himself, found a seam, and outran everybody for a 68-yard touchdown.

While Packers Twitter used Davis’ return to bid Jeff Janis farewell, the perpetually on-the-bubble wideout had a succinct response, breaking free in the end zone for a bread-basket strike from QB Brett Hundley.

For his part, Hundley led seven first half drives, completing 8-15 passes for 90 yards, including 1 TD and 1 INT. He was poised and alert, but inconsistent.

Joe Callahan was more efficient, but not very productive, completing 10-16 passes for 103 yards and no touchdowns.

The Packers defense was stout, with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Nick Perry, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kenny Clark, and Lenzy Pipkens all registering tackles for loss. LB Joe Thomas intercepted Philadelphia QB Matt McGloin, tacking on 30 return yards and setting up a Mason Crosby field goal that would put the team ahead 17-6.

Looking to stake his claim, rookie QB Taysom Hill found fellow newcomer WR DeAngelo Yancey for a 36 yard strike in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. That set up a short back-shoulder touchdown pass to WR Michael Clark on the very next play, making it 24-9.

Unfortunately, the frivolity of the return of live NFL football was hampered by the realities of the game. Damarious Randall, Don Barclay, Kentrell Brice, Lenzy Pipkins, Raysean Pringle and Malachi Dupre all left with injuries. Dupre’s injury was particularly hard to watch—a vicious hit from safety Tre Sullivan that laid the rookie receiver flat on his back. He gave a thumbs up as he was carted off the field.

The Packers next preseason game is against Washington on Saturday, August 19.