Packers vs. Eagles in Brazil: Both teams look for hot starts after much different finishes last season

In mid-November last year, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers were on opposite ends of the NFL spectrum. They were on opposite ends by the end of the season too, but had flipped positions.

The NFL moves fast and the participants in Friday night’s historic matchup in Brazil can attest to it. The Eagles started 10-1 last season, then won only once the rest of the season and were blown out in their first playoff game. The Packers started 3-6 but won seven of their last 10 games including a playoff run that included blasting the Dallas Cowboys in a playoff opener and leading the San Francisco 49ers in the final two minutes of what turned out to be a playoff loss.

When the teams get this season started, they both have high hopes. The Packers are hoping to continue their hot streak from last season, while the Eagles are hoping an offseason of key changes gets them back to Super Bowl contender status.

It’s a fascinating matchup for the first NFL regular-season game that has ever been played in South America. It’s also the first Friday game on opening week for the NFL since 1970. That history is fine, but all the two teams are worried about is that one of the hopeful contenders in the NFC is going home with an 0-1 record.

A mural created by artist Crica featuring Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love adorns an apartment building in downtown Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Eagles try to bounce back

The way the Eagles’ season ended was shocking. They went from 10-1, off a Super Bowl appearance the season before, to one of the worst teams in football. They lost six of their last seven games. A 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round was embarrassing. Head coach Nick Sirianni was brought back but it seemed like a close call. And he came back in a new role.

Sirianni gave up control of the offense to the team’s next coordinator, who ended up being Kellen Moore. Sirianni said that was his idea….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-vs-eagles-in-brazil-both-teams-look-for-hot-starts-after-much-different-finishes-last-season-135613463.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-06 13:56:13

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.