Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Matchups to Watch

5. Packers’ O-Line vs Eagles’ D-Line

In Week 2, the Packers’ offensive line dominated the Minnesota Vikings, and Aaron Jones was able to have his way with them all afternoon. In Weeks 1 & 3, the offensive line got pushed around, and Jones was stonewalled. In Week 4, they need to establish the run early, which is going to be difficult against a team that is currently ranked fourth against the run per Football Outsiders. Meanwhile, Green Bay is just 16th as a rushing offense.

The Green Bay Packers use the running game to set up play action, and, while you don’t need an effective running game for the play-action to work, it does help. Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham in the middle are one of the better duos that you’re going to find at their position. Thursday will be a big test for rookie Elgton Jenkins and free agent Billy Turner. What may be the most important for them is keeping Aaron Rodgers upright.

Exiting Sunday’s game, the Packers allowed just one hit on Rodgers all day, and he said that it was the best he was feeling heading into a Thursday game in a long time. Rodgers likes to hold the ball and extend plays, even though he’s more effective when he releases sooner. When Rodgers is kept upright, he can pick defenses apart, and the offensive line needs to do that against a feisty Jim Schwartz front.