CBS sports analyst drops bold prediction for Eagles vs. Packers playoff game - suong

A few weeks ago, entering Week 16 of the NFL regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles were the talk of the NFC.

The Eagles had just manhandled the Pittsburgh Steelers at home for their 10th consecutive victory. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, all against inferior teams from the NFC East, most of the commentary surrounding Philadelphia was that it was the best team in the conference, and potentially in the entire NFL.

Fair or not, the narrative shifted following Philly’s brutal 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion, the Eagles missed their chance for the No. 1 playoff seed, and the shine has worn off a bit as the team coasted past the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in a pair of uncompetitive games.

That brings us to Pete Prisco of CBS Sports, who recently dropped his score predictions for the NFL’s Super Wild-Card Weekend. He had a bold take for an Eagles team that hasn’t had its starting lineup together since that Steelers win back on Dec. 15:

Both quarterbacks come in with injury issues. Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol, but is expected to play. Jordan Love has an elbow injury, but is also expected to play. How rusty will Hurts be after not playing the final two weeks of the regular season and missing most of the game in Week 16? The Packers have played a lot of good teams close only to lose, including the Eagles. This week, I think Love gets the best of them. Upset special.

Pick: Packers 23, Eagles 20

The Packers definitely played the Eagles tight … 125 days ago. A lot has changed since that Week 1 game in Brazil, especially for the Eagles on defense.

They’ve been particularly dominant on that side of the ball since Week 6, when rookie Cooper DeJean was added to the starting lineup. DeJean has been targeted 73 times in coverage since and hasn’t allowed a touchdown. His presence in the slot, with fellow star rookie Quinyon Mitchell and veteran Darius Slay Jr. on the boundaries, make Philly extremely difficult to beat through the air, especially with their stout defensive front led by Pro Bowler Jalen Carter. The Eagles led the league (by far) in opponent yards per pass attempt in 2024, and there’s no reason to expect that to change in these playoffs.

Jordan Love looks like a special NFL talent, and head coach Matt LaFleur is more than capable of getting his team primed for a playoff upset. His Packers were the No. 7 seed last year as well, and they jumped the then second-seeded Cowboys on wild-card weekend, leading 27-0 at halftime before riding out a 48-32 win at AT&T Stadium.

These Eagles are not the Cowboys, though. They have the best offensive line and rushing attack in football, led by Saquon Barkley. While Hurts has basically missed three games with his concussion, he’ll be a full-go by Sunday, and he’ll be leading an Eagles team that should have its entire roster healthy and available against the Packers. Green Bay is in a different situation, with top corner Jaire Alexander on injured reserve and starting wide receiver Christian Watson already ruled out due to a non-contract knee injury suffered in Week  18.

The Packers are a more than worthy opponent, one that’s probably an unlucky draw for an Eagles team that finished the season 14-3. But this is no rematch of Week 1. The Packers will have their hands full with this Eagles team, which looks like it’s on a collision course with the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.