In his first season as Eagles coach, Chip Kelly hasn't had a full opportunity to handpick the pieces he wants to run his high-speed offense. But he sure inherited some ideal parts — starting with the shifty, electric LeSean McCoy. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound running back was untouchable at times Sunday at Lambeau Field. He made Morgan Burnett miss at the line on one play that ruptured to 20 yards. On another run, he left Mike Neal lunging for air. Much of this season, the Packers have been bottling up opposing teams' top backs, from Reggie Bush to Adrian Peterson to Frank Gore. Yet in back-to-back weeks, Matt Forte and McCoy have run wild. Thus, the Packers defense is back to square one. Even with Clay Matthews back — club and all — a running back had a field day. "Just continue to play hard," defensive end Mike Daniels said of the defense, "get back on the film, see what we did wrong and make our weaknesses our strengths."
MISSING IN ACTION
The secondary was gashed for three long touchdowns. The run defense was exposed. But maybe most surprising Sunday was the absence of a running game. Coming into this one, the Packers' rushing offense ranked third in the NFL. But with quarterback Aaron Rodgers out, the priorities of a defensive coordinator absolutely change. Eddie Lacy met a crowded line of scrimmage all game and managed only 3 yards per carry (73 yards on 24 attempts). For four quarters, Lacy and the offensive line weren't able to take pressure off Scott Tolzien. The margin for error for every block by a lineman, every cut by a back gets smaller. "It changes because they get to tee off," Lacy said. "They know it's a run. We have to do what we have to do, but it definitely gives them an advantage." Asked what the Packers can do to fix this, Lacy said, "I have no idea." As long as Rodgers is out, he can count on more players creeping into the box.
WHAT IF...
If the Packers' defensive backs were able to take advantage of their interception possibilities, this probably would have been a totally different game. Again, Green Bay dropped interceptions. This game, Tramon Williams and Morgan Burnett collided on DeSean Jackson's 55-yard touchdown. Williams went for the ball and Burnett popped it out. On a second and 6 in the second half, Williams missed a diving interception that was caught by Jason Avant for 22 yards. Five plays later, the Eagles scored to go ahead, 27-10. Through nine games, the Packers have only three interceptions. Now the lack of takeaways is starting to cost them. Dom Capers' defense is fueled by takeaways. The previous four seasons, the Packers had 103 interceptions, an average of 26 per season.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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When both Evan Dietrich-Smith and Don Barclay suffered injuries, the only healthy offensive lineman left on the sideline for the Packers was undrafted rookie Lane Taylor. Former Packers offensive lineman Allen Barbre made an appearance when Jason Peters left the game due to injury. Neither team scored a touchdown in the red zone. Beating right tackle Marshall Newhouse, Philadelphia's Vinny Curry sacked Scott Tolzien with so much force the quarterback's helmet popped off. Packers tight end Brandon Bostick caught all three passes thrown his way, including the out-and-up touchdown. Coach Mike McCarthy said afterward that Scott Tolzien ran plays in the game he never was asked to throw in practice.[/list]BY THE NUMBERS
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13 Times Jarrett Boykin was targeted, leading all receivers. 2 Sacks for rookie Datone Jones, who had one in the eight games before Sunday. 2 Missed field goals for Mason Crosby on Sunday after missing two in the eight previous games. 18 Pass attempts for the Eagles, less than half the number Green Bay attempted (44). 2.8 Yards per carry for Eddie Lacy and James Starks combined. Heading in, the duo averaged 4.9 per carry. 3 Interceptions for the Packers' defense this season, last in the NFL.[/list]UP NEXT
Packers (5-4) vs. Giants (3-6), 3:25 p.m. Sunday (Fox), MetLife Stadium
Need proof that the NFL season is a marathon? The New York Giants remain in the NFC East title picture. The Giants won their third straight game Sunday, taking down Oakland, 24-20. Eli Manning has had the worst statistical season of his career with 11 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. But he's been at his best against Green Bay.
Tyler Dunne wrote: