Pick-six preview: Eagles at Packers

Here is our first look at Thursday night’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at Green Bay Packers

The vitals: 7:20 p.m. Thursday (Fox/NFL Network).

Series: The Packers lead 26-14, with five wins in the last six matchups. In four career starts against the Eagles, Aaron Rodgers is 4-0 with 10 touchdowns vs. two interceptions.

The last time: The Packers won at Philadelphia 27-13 on Nov. 28, 2016, the first game of Green Bay’s run-the-table rally to the NFC Championship Game. Rodgers was 30-of-39 for 313 yards and two touchdowns to Davante Adams, who caught five passes for 113 yards.

The quarterback

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz looked like one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks in 2017, when he posted a 101.9 passer rating and went 11-2 to set the stage for a Super Bowl championship, and 2018, when he had a 102.2 rating and 69.6 completion rate. It’s been a challenge to start this season, though. He’s completed 61.0 percent of his passes and his rating is down to 91.2. According to STATS, he’s been victimized by a league-high seven drops. Late drops of potential touchdowns by Nelson Agholor vs. Atlanta and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside vs. Detroit are why the Eagles are 1-2 rather than 3-0.

Video: LaFleur on the state of the offense after Week 3

His top weapon

With 116 receptions last season, Zach Ertz set the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end, breaking the previous mark of 110 by Jason Witten in 2012. He’s caught 17 passes for 190 yards this season but has been kept out of the end zone. With a beat-up receiver corps – Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson missed last week’s game due to injuries – defenses have ganged up on Ertz. He’s caught only 56.7 percent of his passes – including 8-of-16 vs. Atlanta and 4-of-7 last week vs. Detroit. Taking away Ertz was the focus for Detroit. “It's tough, obviously, (without Jeffery and Jackson),” Ertz said. “Those are two of the best receivers in the league. I got double-teamed almost every passing play.”

Getting defensive

The Eagles have been dominant against the run – just 2.95 yards allowed per carry – but, shall we say, less than dominant vs. the pass. The Eagles are allowing 293.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 29th in the NFL. That comes on the heels of ranking just 30th vs. the pass last season. Philadelphia is beat up, with cornerback Ronald Darby and defensive tackles Malik Jackson and Tim Jernigan out. Will this be the game the Packers’ passing attack can finally get going? The injuries notwithstanding, the talent cupboard isn’t bare, with Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett at the ends, All-Pro Fletcher Cox at tackle and Malcolm Jenkins at safety.

Noteworthy number

31: In NFL history, only Jerry Rice (36) has more touchdown receptions of 50-plus yards than Jackson (31). That includes two long-distance TDs in the opener vs. Washington. He missed the Detroit game and would not have practiced on Monday with an abdominal injury.

The big picture

Graphic courtesy of the NFL