The 2024 NFL season came to a gut-wrenching conclusion for the Green Bay Packers with a 31-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that ended their playoff hopes. As the Packers packed up their gear for the offseason, the loss to the Eagles served as a stark reminder of the growing pains associated with a rebuilding team. While the game had moments of brilliance, it also exposed glaring issues that the Packers will need to address if they are to be contenders in the near future.
In this post, we’ll break down the **good**, **bad**, and **ugly** from Green Bay’s season-ending loss to Philadelphia, highlighting key moments that defined their performance, the lessons learned, and what this means for the franchise going forward.
### The Good: Bright Spots Amidst a Tough Loss
Despite the disappointing outcome, there were several positives that Green Bay can take away from this season-ending game. These performances, while not enough to secure a victory, offered glimpses of hope for the future.
#### 1. **Jordan Love’s Continued Growth**
The most significant positive takeaway for the Packers in this loss was the continued development of quarterback **Jordan Love**. After taking over the starting job from the legendary Aaron Rodgers, Love faced monumental expectations, and his performance this season has been a mixed bag. However, against the Eagles, Love showed signs that he is progressing well in his first year as a starter.
Love finished the game with 254 passing yards and two touchdowns, showing poise under pressure and the ability to make solid throws. His chemistry with the receiving corps, particularly with **Romeo Doubs** and **Christian Watson**, was evident, as he connected on some crucial throws in tight coverage. He showed improved decision-making in the pocket, and while he did throw an interception, it was a result of an aggressive push to keep the game alive late, rather than an erratic throw or poor decision-making.
Love’s progression this season has been the silver lining in a year where the Packers have been adjusting to life without Rodgers. While it’s clear Love still has areas to improve—particularly in reading defenses and avoiding turnovers—his performance in the loss to Philadelphia shows that the Packers’ future under center may indeed be bright.
#### 2. **The Run Game: A Solid Foundation**
One of the few areas where the Packers had consistent success was the **running game**. Despite the Eagles’ strong defensive front, Green Bay was able to establish a semblance of balance with **Aaron Jones** and **A.J. Dillon**.
Jones, always the playmaker, was particularly effective in the first half, racking up 85 yards on 17 carries, including a touchdown. Dillon added another 50 yards on the ground, and the two running backs kept the Packers within striking distance for much of the game. When the Packers managed to establish the run, it opened up play-action opportunities for Love, giving him time to look downfield and connect with his receivers.
For a young quarterback like Love, having a strong run game is essential to taking the pressure off his shoulders. As the Packers look to build their offense around Love, Jones and Dillon will be key components, and their performance against the Eagles reaffirmed that Green Bay has a reliable backfield moving forward.
#### 3. **Improved Defensive Play (at Times)**
Defensively, Green Bay had its moments of brilliance, especially in the first half when they kept Philadelphia’s high-powered offense in check for long stretches. **Rashan Gary** was a constant presence in the backfield, registering a sack and several pressures on Jalen Hurts. Gary’s relentless pursuit and ability to disrupt the pocket remain a bright spot in the Packers’ defense moving forward.
**Jaire Alexander** also had a solid outing against the Eagles’ wide receivers, holding his own in coverage and limiting explosive plays for much of the game. The Packers’ defense wasn’t perfect—there were missed tackles and blown coverages—but their resilience in certain spots showed that the unit is capable of being effective when healthy and disciplined.
### The Bad: Missed Opportunities and Inconsistency
While there were clear positives, the Packers’ loss to the Eagles was also defined by missed opportunities and inconsistencies that have plagued them throughout the season. These are areas the team will need to address if they want to compete at a higher level in 2025.
#### 1. **Red Zone Inefficiency**
One of the most glaring issues in Green Bay’s loss was their inability to capitalize in the **red zone**. Despite putting together several solid drives, the Packers consistently stalled when they reached the 20-yard line. This has been a recurring issue throughout the season, and it came to a head in this game.
The Packers settled for field goals twice in the red zone, and their failure to convert on third-and-goal in the third quarter when trailing by just 8 points proved costly. Whether it was poor play design, a lack of execution, or missed opportunities to take advantage of favorable matchups, Green Bay failed to punch it in when it mattered most. Against a team like the Eagles, who can explode offensively at any moment, not converting in the red zone ultimately left the Packers with too much ground to make up.
#### 2. **Defensive Breakdown in Key Moments**
Though the defense had some strong individual performances, they were ultimately worn down by Philadelphia’s offensive depth and execution. The Eagles capitalized on key moments, particularly in the second half, when **Jalen Hurts** and **A.J. Brown** were able to create big plays and extend drives. Hurts, who is known for his dual-threat abilities, rushed for over 60 yards and added two rushing touchdowns, including a back-breaking score late in the game that sealed the Eagles’ victory.
Green Bay’s defense struggled with tackling in the open field, especially in crucial third-and-short situations. While they were able to stifle the Eagles’ offense at times, they were never able to get that crucial stop when the game was within reach. The inability to close out drives or force a turnover ultimately led to Philadelphia wearing down the Packers’ defense and controlling the game’s pace.
#### 3. **Lack of Big Play Threats**
Another concern that was evident in the loss was the **lack of big-play ability** in the passing game. While Love connected with Doubs and Watson for key receptions, the Packers never managed to stretch the field vertically or exploit mismatches down the field. The Eagles’ defense, led by **Darius Slay** and **James Bradberry**, kept the Packers’ wideouts in check for most of the game, forcing Love to make shorter, less impactful throws.
Green Bay struggled to get consistent separation from the Eagles’ cornerbacks, limiting their ability to make explosive plays. While this may be a reflection of the developmental nature of their receiving corps, it also points to a broader issue with offensive creativity. To succeed in the modern NFL, teams need to have the ability to make game-changing plays in the passing game, and this was one area where Green Bay fell short.
### The Ugly: The Costly Mistakes
As is often the case in close games, mistakes—whether mental or physical—play a significant role in the final outcome. In this case, a few **costly errors** made the Packers’ task of staying competitive all the more difficult.
#### 1. **Turnovers at the Wrong Time**
Green Bay had several key mistakes that proved costly, particularly the **interception** thrown by Jordan Love late in the game when the Packers were attempting to mount a comeback. Though it was a result of trying to push the ball downfield while trailing, it still reflected some of the inexperience and impatience that has been a part of Love’s growing pains this season.
Additionally, a **fumbled snap** by rookie center **Josh Myers** in the second quarter halted a promising drive and killed momentum. While not a huge issue in isolation, mistakes like this, especially on the road against a playoff-caliber team, can quickly derail any chances of success.
#### 2. **Special Teams Letdowns**
Green Bay’s **special teams** units also had their share of ugly moments. A **poor punt return** in the third quarter gave the Eagles excellent field position, and a couple of **missed field goals** by kicker **Mason Crosby** further compounded the Packers’ problems. While Crosby has had a long and successful career, his inconsistency on such key kicks in critical moments has been a recurring issue throughout the season.
### Conclusion: A Season of Lessons for the Packers
While the Green Bay Packers’ season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was disappointing, it offered several valuable lessons. The continued development of Jordan Love, the solid performances from the running backs, and the flashes of defensive brilliance are all signs that the team is headed in the right direction. However, the Packers still have a lot to work on: red zone efficiency, defensive consistency, big-play ability in the passing game, and minimizing mistakes all need to be addressed.
Looking ahead to the offseason, the Packers will need to build on these lessons and make the necessary adjustments if they are to return to playoff contention in 2025. With a young core, a strong coaching staff, and plenty of room to grow, the Packers’ future remains bright—even if their season ended in heartbreak.