As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their wild card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, their defensive game plan just got a significant adjustment. Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, who scored against the Eagles in their Week 1 matchup in Brazil, suffered what appears to be a torn ACL in Green Bay's regular season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Does that give Philly an edge? Maybe, but there is a problem in the Eagles camp, too.
QB Jalen Hurts on Monday remains in concussion protocol.
Watson, who had to be carted off the field following a non-contact injury, ends his season with 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an explosive 21.4 yards per reception. Eagles fans might remember Watson from the season opener, where he grabbed three passes for 13 yards and a touchdown, though Eagles safety Reed Blankenship notably prevented a second score with a crucial pass breakup in the first quarter.
The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Green Bay, as quarterback Jordan Love also left Sunday's game with an injury to his throwing arm. While Love has indicated he expects to play against the Eagles, his effectiveness could be limited.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will likely adjust his coverage schemes accordingly. Without Watson's vertical threat stretching the field, Philadelphia might be able to play more aggressively against the run and focus additional coverage on receivers Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
The situation highlights the wisdom of Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni's decision to rest his starters in Week 18. Despite having already clinched their playoff position, the Packers chose to play their key personnel against Chicago and will now enter the postseason significantly compromised.
The Eagles have demonstrated some level of competence with Kenny Pickett at QB. But Hurts is a centerpiece of what Philly does ... so this offense threatens to be compromised here.
The Eagles, who secured the NFC's No. 2 seed, will host the Packers at Lincoln Financial Field next Sunday. Philadelphia won the teams' previous meeting this season, prevailing 27-17 in São Paulo during the NFL's first-ever regular season game in Brazil.
