Did the Packers ruin their playoff chances by playing their starters?
Mackenzie Salmon and Tyler Dragon break down the injuries on Packers offense and their chances to win against the Eagles in Wildcard Weekend.
Sports Seriously
Jalen Hurts’ No. 2 seeded Philadelphia Eagles are set to host Jordan Love’s No. 7 seeded Green Bay Packers on wild-card weekend in a game called by Tom Brady on Fox.
Imagine reading that sentence five years ago.
That’s the reality we face early in 2025, a harsh reminder of how fast time flies. Either way, the birds hope to regroup in the postseason. Head coach Nick Sirianni clipped their wings in Week 18 by resting Saquon Barkley, denying him a chance to set the NFL’s rushing record.
While the Eagles have an impressive record, they are littered with injury concerns across the offense. Hurts is returning from a concussion, the receiver room is banged up and the starting tight end is back after missing four of the last five games. There’s potential for rust even if Barkley is the engine that makes them go.
The positive for Philadelphia is that their Wisconsin opponents are also a wounded group this time of year. Jordan Love is battling an elbow injury, and their speedy receiver and top cornerback are both out for the year. They come in as losers of two straight, backing their way into the playoffs. Not ideal.
On Sunday, one team will quiet the critics in the City of Brotherly Love. Here’s a look at the top player props and anytime TD scorers to back in Philadelphia on Sunday evening.
NFL best bets today: Eagles vs. Packers playoffs
All odds are via BetMGM as of Friday.
Jayden Reed OVER 1.5 rushing yards (-110)
Jayden Reed famously had a 33-yard rushing touchdown against these same Eagles in Brazil to start the season. While he’s eclipsed this number in just nine games, he totaled three carries last week and seven in the last four games. That indicates that Matt LaFleur is trying to get the receiver more involved, especially with Christian Watson out for the season and Love’s elbow injury is a possible concern.
Green Bay must get the ball to their playmakers and hope for the best. Using Reed as a dual threat is a good place to start.
Dallas Goedert OVER 36.5 receiving yards (-110)
The Packers allow the eighth-most yards to opposing tight ends, checking in at around 57 yards per game. Goedert managed just 31 yards on four catches in the opener but should factor into this wild-card matchup. The tight end got back in the groove in the season finale with 55 yards in his return from a knee injury that cost him four games. It’s been an up-and-down season for Goedert, who also missed three games with a hamstring injury earlier in the year. Regardless, the tight end has always been a reliable weapon for Hurts.
With question marks at receiver, expect Goedert to play a significant role in the Eagles’ passing attack.
A.J. Brown anytime TD (+115)
Brown might be injured, but the receiver is playing anyway. After sitting out Week 18, Brown is back in the lineup and rides a three-game touchdown-scoring streak into the wild-card round. It’s no secret that he has an elite combination of speed, size and strength, making him a problem for every opposing defense.
He already cooked Green Bay’s top corner, Jaire Alexander, in Week 1 to the tune of five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Now Alexander is out for the year and this game is on American soil, meaning the Eagles wideout can make even more of an impact. We will gladly take a shot on Brown at plus money.
Jayden Reed anytime TD (+250)
Is it Reed’s time to shine? We’d like to think so. He should step up in the receiver’s room without Watson, and with Philly being notably stingy against opposing tight ends, the options are dwindling fast. Regarding pass-catchers, we’re left with a trio of primarily involved receivers. Romeo Doubs has proven to be a playoff performer, breaking out in the team’s two games last season. Dontayvion Wicks can be somewhat of a wild-card and then there’s Reed, who can sometimes disappear. Reed projects as a player who will be involved around the line of scrimmage, especially with Love’s injured elbow being a concern.
Reed has the second shortest average depth of target, around 9.1 yards, to just Malik Heath, making him the perfect fit for what we’re looking for. He scored two touchdowns in the opener, one rushing and another receiving, giving us plenty of opportunities to cash the +250.
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