What can the Eagles expect from the Packers defense?

After scoring a franchise-record 477 points in their 2022 Super Bowl season, the Eagles regressed somewhat in 2023. Their 433 points still ranked seventh in team history and seventh in the league in scoring, but the eye test showed concerns. Those concerns mounted as the team collapsed from a 10-1 start to an 11-6 finish, capped by an embarrassing playoff loss to the Buccaneers.

That offense will now face the Packers in Brazil on Friday night to open their season, facing new Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley, 45, spent the previous four seasons as head coach at Boston College, compiling a 22-26 record. He brings seven years of professional experience coaching defensive backs in Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco. His time with the 49ers came when current Jets head coach Robert Saleh was the team’s defensive coordinator. He will lead Green Bay to a 4-3 base front.

What can the Eagles expect from Hafley and the Packers defense?

With a new leader and a new system in place, here are some excellent stats from Green Bay’s defensive performance in 2023:

Jaire Alexander has been selected to the Second-Team All-Pro twice at cornerback. When the Eagles last faced the Packers in 2022 with the trio of Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith at full strength, Alexander was targeted in coverage six times, allowing two catches for 23 yards in the 40-33 Eagles victory, according to PFF.

2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes will line up opposite Alexander at corner. Additionally, the Packers signed safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract at center. Resources have been poured into this secondary, but at the same time, they may not have a tougher task this year than stopping the likes of Brown and Smith.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clark is also coming off a Pro Bowl season for the Packers. In his five matchups to watch for going into the game, our Eagles writer Jimmy Kempski highlighted Clark going up against Eagles right guard Mekhi Becton, who makes his team debut in Week 1.

When asked what immediately stood out about Clark, Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said before practice Monday: “explosion.”

Moore continued: “He’s a guy that can have a huge impact on this game. We know they’ve invested a lot in that defense. They’ve done a great job of building the talent around that thing. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Moore was also asked what he has learned from Becton in his role as a right guard.

“Obviously he can do it, and he’s done a great job of embracing a new role, working with those guys, the veterans that he’s got around him, just embracing it,” Moore said. “He’s done a phenomenal job. So many positives.”

Of course Jason Kelce is retired now so Cam Jurgens moves to center with Becton as the new RG. That’s a fresh inner group going out there in week 1. Changes everywhere!

The Eagles’ talent at wide receiver is clear with two stars in Brown and Smith, but this has the makings of a day for Saquon Barkley to run wild. It remains to be seen what kind of usage he gets from the Week 1 kickoff in his Eagles tenure, but the Birds should be able to make a run and thrive against this Packers defense.

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