Quick takes on the Eagles’ 30-16 loss to the Packers: Jalen Hurts plays, Carson Wentz finally benched, Aaron Rodgers dominates | Marcus Hayes
The kid shined in his first real shot as the WentzWagon watched, while the G.O.A.T, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, showed them both how it's done.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) talks with Eagles head coach Doug Pederson (center) after he replaced Carson Wentz in the third quarter.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
In a 30-16 loss at Green Bay, second-round rookie Jalen Hurts replaced struggling starter Carson Wentz, a step we suggested after Game Two.
Hurts finished 5-for-12 for 109 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He ran five times for 29 yards and was sacked three times for just 5 yards.
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Hurts entered with 7 minutes, 19 seconds to play in the third quarter. The Eagles trailed, 20-3.
Hurts’ series: Miles Sanders 5-yard run on a read-option; Hurts scrambled for 1 yard; Hurts hit first-round rookie Jalen Reagor for 34 yards; Hurts sacked for minus-2 yards; Boston Scott’s 28-yard run called back on a bogus holding call on Isaac Seumalo; Hurts, 3-yard scramble; Sanders, 3-yard run; punt.
Hurts’ second series, with 11:13 to play in the fourth quarter: Scramble for 10 yards; scramble for 13 yards; incompletion; pass to Dallas Goedert for 6 yards; pass to Zach Ertz for 20 yards; scramble for 2 yards; incompletion (late); incompletion (high); pass to Alshon Jeffery for 13 yards erased by Jeffery’s offensive pass interference penalty; touchdown pass on fourth-and-18 to Greg Ward, 32 yards. That cut the Packers’ lead to 23-10.
Hurts’ third series, with 4:49 to play in the fourth quarter, now trailing 23-16 after Reagor returned a punt for a TD: Sanders, 5-yard run; Sanders, 5-yard run; incomplete (short), sacked (stepped into a mush-rush with two receivers open), incomplete (short), punt.
Hurts’ fourth series, with 2:29 to play: pass to Ward for 17 yards; sacked for no gain on a scramble; Travis Fulgham drops a 20-yard bunny; telegraphs a pass in the flat that Darnell Savage brilliantly intercepted.
Hurts wasn’t perfect or polished but he looked very promising, very comfortable.
Wentz, watching from the sideline, did not look comfortable.
At all.
Eagles players run onto the field for warmups before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws the ball during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) makes a catch in front of Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26) in the first quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (93) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the first quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles running back Miles Sanders (center) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry (left) and Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Christian Kirksey (right) after gaining six yards on the first quarter play. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers safety Raven Greene (24) sacks Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz avoids a tackle attempt by Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (right) in the second quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass in the fisrt quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Keke (left) and Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (right) in the first quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Keke (96) sacks Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles safety Marcus Epps (22) tries to stop Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (right) picks up a first down on a run in the second quarter against the Packers. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan (85) scores a touchdown in front of Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton (49) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles linebacker Davion Taylor (52) is possibly injured in the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles safety Jalen Mills (21) checks on defensive end Derek Barnett (96) after Barnett was possibly injured in the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan (right) reaches out with the ball for a touchdown as Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton (left) defends in the second quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (24) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz warms himself by a portable sideline heater in the second quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (24) in the second quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) breaks up a pass intended for Eagles running back Boston Scott (35) during a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) hauls in a catch in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (20) in the third quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (left) is airborne after Eagles strong safety Jalen Mills (right) tackles him in the third quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles tackle Jack Driscoll (63) blocks Green Bay Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) during a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (center) leaps over his teammate tight end Robert Tonyan (left) after he blocked Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (right) during the third quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) flips over Eagles safety Rodney McLeod (23) in the third quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles nose tackle Javon Hargrave forces Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) to scramble in the fourth quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (center) is sacked by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (left) and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith (right) in the fourth quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (left) catches a touchdown pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage defends. The Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) evades a tackle by Eagles safety K'Von Wallace (42) as he runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagle lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (right) stiff arms Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (left) as he fight to score a touchdown in the third quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) tumbles over Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (24) for a touchdown in the third quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (right) presents the football to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) after his third quarter touchdown catch against the Eagles. The Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) tumbles into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) in the fourth quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagle lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) stands on the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagle lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (left) talks with Eagles head coach Doug Pederson (center) after he replaced Carson Wentz in the third quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) looks to throw in the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage (left) intercepts a pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts late in the fourth quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020. Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward falls to the turf.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26) intercepts a pass intended for Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (84) in the fourth quarter of a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagle lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (center) reacts as he watches the replay of his pass being intercepted by the Packers in the fourth quarter. The Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) talks with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagle lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) talks with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The Eagles lost 30-16.Read moreTIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Eagles Carson Wentz walks off the field after the Philadelphia Eagles lose 30-16 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on December 6, 2020. Wentz was pulled in the third quarter.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Wentz wastes chances
After the Eagles took a 3-0 lead, the Eagles’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Packers’ first possession. But, after driving 32 yards, Carson Wentz took two bad sacks, lost 11 total yards, and knocked the Eagles out of field-goal range.
After the defense forced a Packers three-and-out to start the second half, Wentz squandered a 41-yard completion when, on the next set of downs, he fired two bad passes that led to a punt.
Wentz finished 6-for-15 for 79 yards and was sacked four times, bringing his league high to 50.
Darius, slain
For the second week in a row the Eagles’ new $50 million lockdown corner got torched.
As Slay shadowed him, Davante Adams caught eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Last week, Seahawks star D.K. Metcalf caught 10 passes for 177 yards.
Slay left the game late in the third quarter with a right leg injury.
Aaron Rodgers, the highest-rated passer in NFL history among quarterbacks who have played at least four seasons, completed 13 of 14 passes in the first half, a 92.9 percentage, the highest first-half percentage of his career. He also threw two touchdown passes in the first half. He finished 24-for-33 for 290 yards and those two TDs with no interceptions. He has a league-best 35 touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
Rodgers entered Sunday with a 117.6 rating, best in the league this season. He is favored to win his third MVP award this season. He is 37. The Packers drafted Jordan Love in the first round this season to groom him as Rodgers’ replacement. That pick might prove wasted.
