In college football, teams often start their season with an easier opponent to secure a win and shake off any rust before facing tougher competition. As Adam Sandler said in The Longest Yard (2005), it’s a way to boost confidence. It’s an effective strategy for easing into the season and assessing the team’s strengths.
Jeff Hafley and the Green Bay Packers defense won’t have that luxury, though. They face an immediate challenge as the Philadelphia Eagles will test them right out of the gate in Brazil on Friday night.
The Eagles are expected to field a high-powered offense. With former MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the charge, supported by two star wide receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and the addition of first-round talent Jahan Dotson, Philadelphia’s passing game looks formidable. They also bolstered their run game by signing Saquon Barkley, a significant upgrade at running back.
For Hafley, Week 1 will mark his debut as an NFL defensive coordinator, and his first test will be a tough one. It starts with defending Barkley, Philadelphia’s latest offensive weapon.
“He can do it all,” said Packers’ new safety Xavier McKinney. “He’s a special back, one of a kind.”
McKinney knows Barkley well, having spent four years with him in New York.
The Packers can’t underestimate Barkley. Two years ago, he racked up nearly 100 total yards and a touchdown against them in a 27-22 loss in London. With a new defensive coordinator and a revamped defense, Green Bay will look to prevent a repeat performance.
In addition to Barkley, the Packers’ defense will have to contend with Hurts, one of the NFL’s most elusive quarterbacks. His ability to extend plays with his legs presents another layer of difficulty for Green Bay.
“He’s like the fastest chicken in the yard without a fence,” said veteran linebacker Preston Smith.
The Packers are all too familiar with Hurts. In their last meeting, Hurts rushed for 157 yards on 17 carries and threw two touchdowns in a 40-33 Eagles victory last November.
Containing Hurts will be critical for Green Bay’s chances in Brazil. In 2023, Philadelphia’s offense ranked in the top 10 for rushing yards and yards per attempt, tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns, and seventh in total scoring.
While the Eagles boast elite receivers in Brown and Smith, their passing game was average last season. Green Bay’s cornerbacks will face a tough challenge, with Jaire Alexander well-suited to cover Smith, while the larger Eric Stokes will likely match up with Brown.
McKinney’s experience against the Eagles, having faced them twice a year over the past four seasons, will be invaluable for the Packers. He’ll play a key role in supporting rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams as they try to slow down Philadelphia’s dynamic passing duo.
Although the Eagles lost veteran center Jason Kelce, their offensive line remains one of the team’s strengths, making it difficult for Green Bay to generate much pressure in the run game or on Hurts.
While Philadelphia’s offense may not be as dominant as in previous years, it still presents a significant challenge for the Packers in their Week 1 matchup.
The role of defensive coordinator in Green Bay comes with high expectations, and fans have been disappointed by past hires like Mike Pettine and Joe Barry. Hafley has an opportunity to make his mark, but he won’t have much time to ease into his new role.
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