Eagles edge Packers 10-7 in defensive slugfest, Hurts-to-Smith TD seals win
The Philadelphia Eagles survived a grueling, low-scoring battle on Monday Night Football, defeating the Green Bay Packers 10-7 in a game that felt more like a chess match than a football contest. The deciding moment came when Jalen Hurts, the Eagles’ quarterback, fired a 36-yard bullet to DeVonta Smith — a contested, gravity-defying catch that finally cracked open a defense that had shut down Philadelphia’s offense for nearly an hour. It was the kind of play that doesn’t show up in analytics but wins games — and it gave the Eagles their third straight win, keeping them atop the NFC East.
Defensive Dominance, Not Offense, Won the Night
For 54 minutes, the Eagles D didn’t just play well — they suffocated. Green Bay’s offense, led by Aaron Rodgers in his final season, managed zero points. No touchdowns. No field goals. Not even a sustained drive. The Eagles’ front seven, anchored by Derek Barnett and Haason Reddick, made life miserable for the Packers’ offensive line. The result? A shutout that felt historic in an era of high-scoring games.
But here’s the twist: Philadelphia’s offense wasn’t any better. Hurts completed just 19 of 33 passes. The running game sputtered. A.J. Brown, the team’s star receiver, was held to three catches for 28 yards. The Eagles had two field goals from Jake Elliott — 47 and 38 yards — before the big play. Until that 36-yard touchdown to Smith, the offense had looked lost. It wasn’t execution. It was desperation. And it worked.
Green Bay’s Defensive Paradox
The Packers’ defense? It was outstanding. Again. They held the Eagles to 10 points — the third time this season they’ve kept an opponent under 16 points and still lost. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern. In 2023, Green Bay had two such games. This year, it’s already three. And each time, their offense fails to respond. The Packers have scored 17 or fewer points in five of their seven games. They’re not losing because they’re bad defensively — they’re losing because they can’t score.
"The Pack must go back to the drawing board to get something going in a hurry," NFL.com’s analysts wrote. And they’re right. With a 3-4 record, Green Bay now trails both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Their playoff hopes are slipping — not because they can’t stop teams, but because they can’t move the chains when it matters.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Score
Philadelphia’s 10-7 win isn’t pretty. It’s ugly. It’s gritty. And that’s exactly what it needed to be. The Eagles are 5-2, and while their offense still has issues — especially in the red zone — they’ve shown they can win ugly. That’s the mark of a contender. They didn’t need 400 yards. They didn’t need three touchdowns. They needed one play. And when it counted, Hurts and Smith delivered.
What’s more, this win came on the road, in a hostile environment, against a team with a top-10 defense. That’s not luck. That’s poise. And for a team that’s been criticized for over-relying on its offense in past seasons, this performance signals a shift. The Eagles are learning to win with defense, with discipline, with timing. That’s what championship teams do.
What’s Next? The Road Gets Harder
For the Eagles, the schedule doesn’t ease up. Next up: a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs — a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship. Then comes a road trip to face the San Francisco 49ers. Both are top-three teams in the NFC. If Philadelphia wants to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl threat, they need to prove this win wasn’t a fluke — that they can keep winning even when the offense sputters.
For Green Bay? Their window is closing. Rodgers is 40. The offensive line is aging. The play-calling has been inconsistent. They have four games left against teams with winning records. If they can’t find a way to score more than 14 points in a game, their season could end in January — not in the playoffs, but in the draft lottery.
Historical Context: A Rare Low-Scoring Clash
This was the lowest-scoring Monday Night Football game since 2020, when the New England Patriots beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-9. It’s only the 12th time since 2010 that a game ended with fewer than 18 total points. And it’s the first time since 2017 that a team won with just one touchdown and two field goals.
The Eagles-Packers rivalry has produced some classics — like the 2011 NFC Championship game — but this one won’t be remembered for fireworks. It’ll be remembered for grit. For a 36-yard catch that defied coverage. For a defense that refused to blink. For a quarterback who delivered when nothing else was working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jalen Hurts manage to connect with DeVonta Smith on the game-winning touchdown?
Hurts faked a handoff to the left, pulling the defense toward the run. Smith ran a quick slant, then broke outside toward the sideline, creating just enough separation. The throw was high and tight, requiring Smith to leap over the defender’s outstretched arms — a move NFL.com described as "skying." It was Hurts’ first touchdown pass of the second half and only his third of the game.
Why is Green Bay losing despite strong defensive performances?
The Packers’ offense has been the league’s 31st-ranked unit in points per game this season. They’ve struggled with red-zone efficiency, third-down conversions, and consistent quarterback play. Even when their defense holds opponents to 16 points or fewer, the offense often fails to score more than 10. That’s a recipe for losses — and it’s happened three times already in 2024.
What does this win mean for the Eagles’ playoff chances?
The Eagles are now 5-2 and lead the NFC East by a full game over the Washington Commanders. Winning ugly — especially on the road — shows they have the resilience to compete in January. If they can hold onto first place, they’ll likely host a playoff game. Their defense, now ranked 4th in the league, is the engine. If Hurts can stay healthy and avoid turnovers, they’re a serious contender.
Has a team ever won a game with only one touchdown and two field goals in the modern NFL?
Yes — but rarely. Since 2000, there have been only 17 games where a team won with exactly 10 points (one TD, two FGs). The last time was in 2022, when the New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 10-7. The Eagles’ win is the first such game this season and only the second since 2021.
What’s the biggest concern for the Packers moving forward?
The lack of offensive rhythm. Aaron Rodgers has thrown just four touchdown passes in his last five games. The offensive line has allowed 18 sacks — tied for the most in the NFC. And without a reliable running game or consistent playmaking from receivers, the offense is too predictable. If they don’t fix this in the next three weeks, their season may be over before December.
Is this a sign the Eagles are becoming a more balanced team?
Absolutely. Last year, they won big games with explosive offense. This year, they’re winning with defense, discipline, and clutch plays. Their turnover margin is +8 — best in the NFC. They’re holding opponents to 19.8 points per game — a massive improvement from 2023. This win proves they don’t need 40 points to win. That’s the mark of a team peaking at the right time.