Jacobs praises improvements at half-time: To counteract what Philadelphia offered them, the Packers changed some things schematically after Josh Jacobs was held to just four yards on six attempts in the first two quarters.
The former All-Pro running back had 80 rushing yards on 10 carries in the second half, including a 32-yard run to start Green Bay’s 10-play, 79-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.
“We just changed our strategy,” Jacobs said. “They had a great game plan in the first half, so we changed our strategy on the third or fourth drive and it paid off.”
Sophomore running back Emanuel Wilson added 46 rushing yards on four attempts after initially being questionable due to a hip injury. As a team, Green Bay finished with 163 rushing yards on 21 attempts (7.8 yards per attempt).
Myers Update: Center Josh Myers said he was fine after leaving the field on the same play that injured quarterback Jordan Love late in the fourth quarter.
The fourth-year veteran said he had severe leg cramps in the second half but was fine after the game after a few IVs.
“I had really bad cramps. My legs were completely dislocated,” said Myers. “I did one jump during the game and then I just fell over. I couldn’t continue.”
In addition to Myers, the Packers used both Sean Rhyan and rookie first-round pick Jordan Morgan at right guard. In the rotation, Rhyan won two series before Morgan filled in for one.
When Myers left late, Elgton Jenkins moved to center and Rhyan replaced Jenkins at left guard.
Barrage of touchbacks: If Friday was any indication, Keisean Nixon might have a tough time showing his All-Pro skills on kick returns early in the season.
The Eagles were perfectly content with Braden Mann’s kickoff recovery, which led to five consecutive touchbacks to the Packers’ 30-yard line to start the game.
Nixon made an out in the final minute of the game, but his 24-yard return only brought the ball back to the Green Bay Packers’ 16-yard line.
“The last time I played against them, I had 170 yards, so I expected them not to give me the ball,” Nixon said. “I think a lot of teams will do that. They’d rather make it 30 yards, which is boring, but I can’t control it. I just have to play defense.”
Lots of support: After the game, the Packers immediately packed their things and began the 10-hour flight back to Green Bay.
Despite the loss, the Packers enjoyed everything leading up to the game and the atmosphere at Arena Corinthians, which included several “Go Pack Go” chants.
“I felt a lot of support,” Reed said. “I thought it was a really good experience. A lot of noise. It was louder than I thought it would be. I saw a lot of different jerseys, which was interesting. It was a really fun experience.”
