The NFL playoffs are here, and one of the most intriguing matchups in the Wild Card round features the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams have had impressive regular seasons, but heading into Sunday’s showdown, there are significant question marks surrounding their respective quarterbacks. Will the Packers’ Jordan Love continue to shine in his first postseason appearance? Can Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ MVP frontrunner, recover from his late-season injury and return to full form? These quarterback questions will play a pivotal role in determining which team advances deeper into the postseason.

### Jordan Love: A New Chapter in Green Bay

For Green Bay, this season has been a transition from one legendary quarterback to another. After the departure of Aaron Rodgers, the Packers handed the reins to Jordan Love, their 2020 first-round draft pick. Expectations were low for Love early in the season, as the Packers looked to develop a new identity under his leadership. But Love’s performance throughout the season has shown flashes of potential, and now, he faces the high-pressure scenario of his first-ever playoff game.

#### **Strengths of Jordan Love’s Play**

Love’s arm strength has always been one of his most lauded traits, and he’s proven to be capable of making all the throws, from deep bombs to tight-window slants. He’s shown chemistry with a variety of receivers, from the young Christian Watson to veterans like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. Despite some growing pains early in the season, Love has been able to settle into a rhythm, particularly with his deep ball accuracy, which became a defining trait for the Packers’ offense as the season wore on.

A key strength for Love is his mobility. Although not known for running like a Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts, Love’s ability to scramble and extend plays has added an element of unpredictability to the Packers’ offense. His mobility, combined with his strong arm, has helped make the offense more dynamic, especially when plays break down.

#### **Question Marks for Jordan Love**

While Love’s raw potential is clear, his biggest question mark remains his consistency. Throughout the season, Love has alternated between moments of brilliance and frustrating misfires. He’s displayed the ability to lead long drives and execute under pressure, but he’s also had stretches of inconsistency, particularly in key moments late in games. In the Packers’ loss to the Lions in Week 18, Love had an opportunity to tie the game late but failed to execute. His ability to handle the pressure in his first playoff appearance will be under intense scrutiny.

Additionally, the Packers have been inconsistent in their offensive line play, which has at times left Love under duress. How Love performs under pressure, particularly against a stout Eagles defense, could be a deciding factor in the game. Will he be able to keep his composure and make smart decisions, or will he crumble under the pressure?

### Jalen Hurts: Injury Concerns for the Eagles

On the other side of the field, the Philadelphia Eagles are dealing with a different kind of quarterback uncertainty. Jalen Hurts, who has had an MVP-caliber season, missed the final two games of the regular season due to a shoulder injury. While Hurts returned to practice this week and is expected to play on Sunday, there are still lingering concerns about his health and how much the injury will affect his performance in the postseason.

#### **Strengths of Jalen Hurts’ Play**

Hurts is a unique quarterback, blending an elite dual-threat ability with high-level passing skills. This season, he has been arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, leading the Eagles to the NFC’s best record. He threw for 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, while also rushing for 13 touchdowns. Hurts has become one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL, capable of beating teams through the air and on the ground. His chemistry with receivers like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert has been crucial to the Eagles’ success.

The Eagles’ offense is predicated on Hurts’ ability to read defenses, create plays with his legs, and deliver pinpoint throws in critical moments. His leadership and clutch performances, especially in big games, have elevated the Eagles into championship contention. His ability to make quick decisions, especially in high-pressure moments, is one of his key strengths.

#### **Question Marks for Jalen Hurts**

The primary concern for Hurts heading into the playoffs is the status of his shoulder. Hurts injured his throwing shoulder in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears and subsequently missed two games. Although Hurts returned to action in Week 18, his performance in the final two regular-season games was less than stellar. Against the Saints, Hurts was clearly not at 100%, throwing for just 204 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.

The concern isn’t necessarily that Hurts won’t be able to play, but rather whether he can perform at the level he was earlier in the season. His shoulder injury could affect his throwing power, accuracy, and ability to extend plays with his legs. Hurts’ dual-threat ability is a major weapon, but if he’s unable to run with the same confidence, the Eagles’ offense could be less explosive.

Additionally, Hurts hasn’t played a full postseason game yet, and while he’s shown immense poise in the regular season, the playoffs bring a different level of pressure. How Hurts responds to the heightened intensity and whether he can regain the form that made him an MVP candidate will be critical for the Eagles’ playoff success.

### The Impact of Quarterback Play on Sunday’s Game

As both teams head into this high-stakes playoff matchup, the quarterback play will undoubtedly be the focal point of the game. For the Packers, Love will need to step up and show he can lead a team in the postseason. His ability to remain calm under pressure, manage the game, and execute down the stretch will determine whether Green Bay can pull off an upset against a heavily favored Eagles team.

For the Eagles, Hurts’ health will be the primary storyline. If he’s fully healthy and can return to his MVP-level play, Philadelphia’s offense will be difficult to stop. If he’s compromised, however, the Eagles’ offense could struggle to find the same rhythm, especially against a Packers defense that has shown flashes of brilliance this season.

### Conclusion

The quarterback matchups between Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts will be the deciding factor in Sunday’s playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Love enters his first playoff game with much to prove, and Hurts must demonstrate that his shoulder injury won’t hold him back from leading his team to victory. Both quarterbacks have the potential to dominate, but there are enough question marks surrounding each player that Sunday’s game could go in either direction.

Ultimately, the team whose quarterback rises to the occasion and plays at the highest level will likely come out on top. The Packers and the Eagles may be evenly matched in many respects, but the quarterback play will be the true difference-maker in this high-stakes playoff showdown.