NFL analyst declares unconventional Week 1 Friday showdown between Packers and Eagles to be “most important game” of opening week
The Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles will both be away to start their seasons. The Packers will abandon the mid-west and the Eagles will abandon the eastern seaboard in favor of Brazil to start the year. Despite the game taking place outside the borders of the United States, the stakes could not be higher.
At least, that is what one NFL analyst believes. Speaking on a September 2 edition of "Get Up," NFL analyst Jeff Darlington explained why the game was so important.
"This is the most important game of Week 1. And I say that because of what I heard out of there, this team has to get their chemistry back. ... Sirianni himself knows he needs to get more leadership out of himself," Darlington said [8:25].
"You are changing the dynamic and the narrative about the rest of the season. To me, this is the most important game of the NFL season for Week 1," he added.
Many have predicted that the Eagles will be one of the NFC's best teams in the last few years. While last season's second-half collapse cannot be overlooked, neither can the team's ascension to the Super Bowl or its 11 wins.
The Packers, meanwhile, could be in for one of their best seasons in the last few decades. Aaron Rodgers won his Super Bowl early in his career and with Love following Rodgers' development closely, expectations match that same pace for fans.
Packers vs Eagles just one of several hotly anticipated matchups taking place internationally in 2024
The international schedule was announced in May, but with the NFL season starting up this week, the rubber is meeting the road. The Week 1 matchup between the Packers and Philadelphia Eagles is just one of a slew of games taking place outside the country.
According to NFL media, five games will take place outside the country this year. Out of the five games, three games are must-watch affairs. With the timings of the games often unconventional, these games are at least must-follow affairs.
On October 6th, the Minnesota Vikings play Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a venue produced by the NFL mainly for football games. On October 13, Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears play the Jacksonville Jaguars at the same venue.
On October 20, the potentially Drake Maye-led Patriots will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium, London.
All three games feature at least one star quarterback or one up-and-coming rookie that could have his first breakout game at any moment.
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Get Up" and H/T Sportskeeda.