Philadelphia hasn’t misplaced a recreation in September since 2021 and is 3-0 in season openers below coach Nick Sirianni.
The Eagles will attempt to lengthen that success in a distinct hemisphere in Friday evening’s unprecedented Week 1 date with the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the primary NFL regular-season recreation in South America.
“It should be good for us to go play in a impartial web site and deal with the various things that pop up within the NFL,” Sirianni mentioned.
“… There are issues you’ll be able to’t management. What we will management is our effort, we will management our perspective, we will management our core values, and we’ll concentrate on that this week.”
Philadelphia received its first eight video games and began 13-1 in 2022 en path to advancing to Tremendous Bowl LVII. The Eagles received their first 5 contests and began 10-1 final season earlier than dropping within the wild-card spherical.
Inexperienced Bay is coming off its fourth playoff look in 5 seasons below coach Matt LaFleur. The Packers misplaced to the San Francisco 49ers on a late Christian McCaffrey landing run within the divisional spherical final season after a wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
It is a enterprise journey to Brazil for each groups with no time for sightseeing. The Eagles deliberate to reach Wednesday evening after a 10-hour flight, maintain a walk-through at Corinthians Area on Thursday, and fly straight again to Philadelphia after Friday evening’s recreation.
“We’re professionals,” Eagles receiver A.J. Brown mentioned. “We’re down there to win a soccer recreation. We’re not down there to see town, do all this different stuff. This isn’t a trip. This can be a soccer recreation.”
The Packers organized a 10-hour direct flight leaving from Inexperienced Bay on Wednesday morning and, because the “visiting” workforce, they are going to maintain their walk-through Thursday on the Corinthians soccer membership’s coaching floor.
“It isn’t going to be something loopy that we have by no means carried out earlier than, and I might count on the identical from Philly,” LaFleur mentioned. “… I’ve solely talked to our guys concerning the Philadelphia Eagles, and what we have to do.”
The short turnaround time could also be disruptive, however it additionally provides NFL officers and gamers who’re involved about safety some peace of thoughts.
“I don’t wish to go to Brazil,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay mentioned on his “Large Play Slay” podcast this week. “They already informed us to not depart the lodge. They informed us we won’t do an excessive amount of as a result of the crime price is loopy. NFL, why do you wish to ship us someplace the place the crime price is so excessive?”
A large mural of beginning quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Jordan Love of the Packers adorns the facet of a constructing in downtown Sao Paulo, however the highlight within the stadium shall be on the working backs.
Saquon Barkley, a two-time Professional Bowl choice, joined Philadelphia after six seasons and greater than 5,000 dashing yards with the division-rival New York Giants.
Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL dashing chief and in addition a two-time Professional Bowl decide, signed with Inexperienced Bay after 5 seasons and greater than 5,500 dashing yards with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.
“I am simply making an attempt to not let or not it’s me, the man who messes it up,” Jacobs mentioned. “That is my largest factor going into Recreation 1 is simply making an attempt to be very disciplined in my keys, and attempt to put my little spin on it after I get an opportunity.”
On the damage entrance, Eagles linebacker Devin White (ankle) didn’t take part in follow on Wednesday, and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (hand) had restricted participation.
Rookie working again MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) didn’t take part in follow for the Packers on Tuesday. On restricted duties had been linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), receiver Romeo Doubs (hand), working again Emanuel Wilson (hip), and cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring).
–Subject Stage Media