5 Things to Watch in Packers vs Eagles: Will Watkins Lose Snaps?

It's time to give Sammy Watkins' snaps to someone else.

After a chastening defeat to the Titans last week, the Packers head to Philadelphia with a 4-7 record knowing they essentially need to run the table for a chance at making the playoffs.

The Eagles are formidable opponents, boasting the best record in the NFL at 9-1, and could well put the final dagger in the 2022 Packers.

Here are five things to watch in Green Bay’s last stand as they attempt to keep their season alive.

Run the Damn Ball: Part 7

While the Eagles are exceptional on both sides of the ball, their run defense leaves plenty to be desired, and taking advantage of that will be the recipe for the Packers to pull off an upset.

The loss of rookie nose tackle Jordan Davis has had a significant impact on the Eagles, who have tried to plug the gap with veterans Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh.

The Packers simply have to run the ball, and do it effectively, on Sunday night to have any chance. If they can own the time of possession and shorten the game, they will reduce Philly’s margin for error on their drives and stand a genuine chance of victory.

Philadelphia’s receivers vs Green Bay’s corners

Between AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, the Eagles are blessed with two electrifying wide receivers whom the Packers will have to slow down.

In they are allowed to compete, unlike against Tennessee, Jaire and Alexander and Rasul Douglas would appear to be a match for Philadelphia’s wideouts, but that decision is in the hands of the cautious Joe Barry.

Smith vs Alexander and Brown vs Douglas have the potential to be box office matchups, and they are battles the Packers corners will need to win to hold down the Eagles offense.

Kenny Clark

After a superb start to the 2022 season, Clark has suffered a dip in form of late.

Given Green Bay’s current predicament, they need everyone, especially their star players, to be at their best from here on out to have any hopes of making a run.

Clark is the key to the Packers defensive line, and a bounce back performance versus the Eagles would be a welcome development.

Will Justin Hollins be involved?

Joe Barry said new recruit Hollins has a chance to play on Sunday just days after being claimed, as he did when joining Barry in Los Angeles back in 2020

Hollins is an intriguing pickup. The former Rams and Broncos linebacker has 7 career sacks in his three-plus NFL seasons, posted a 9.69 Relative Athletic Score coming into the league and is still only 26 years old.

He may be able to provide Green Bay with a boost this season, but this move seems to have the future in mind. The Packers will have 6 games to evaluate Hollins and decide whether he could be a piece of their defense moving forward.

Sammy Watkins’ snap count

To put it bluntly, Watkins is done. There’s just no juice left in the 29-year-old and it’s time to give his snaps to someone else.

Samori Toure in particular has shown some ability when given the chance, and essentially promoting him above Watkins could not only give the Packers offense a spark, but also give the rookie valuable reps with a view to becoming a more full-time player next season.

 

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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres

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4 points
 

Comments (39)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Coldworld's picture

November 26, 2022 at 03:14 pm

Toure should have been getting meaningful snaps a month ago. LaFleur is just excessively cautious as, yet again, evidenced by the rubbish called last week even after Watson’s break out and yes, the incorporation of Watkins at the core of the game plan.

LaFleur is just so far out of his depth. The fact that we are even having to ponder this just shows his inability to learn and adapt in yet another way.

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oceanstrength's picture

November 26, 2022 at 03:40 pm

what does 'out of his depth' mean?

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LeotisHarris's picture

November 26, 2022 at 04:04 pm

I think that's what happens when you're in over your head while out of your league.

9 points
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BAMABADGER's picture

November 26, 2022 at 07:05 pm

Bingo!

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MainePackFan's picture

November 26, 2022 at 07:59 pm

That would be CW's in depth description of the out their depth 2022 Green Bay Packers. Perhaps if the organization would get rid of Rodgers and all the coaches, we would have a whole new "out of their depth" group for CW to opine about :)

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croatpackfan's picture

November 26, 2022 at 05:31 pm

Coldworld, I was reading few days ago that ACR said Toure does not doing much after catch on practices, and when we translate that, do not expect much of Toure during the game. Just to fill the position maybe. Nothing more.

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croatpackfan's picture

November 27, 2022 at 02:38 am

Well, I may be wrong. If I'm, I hope Toure will be more involved in the game. What I saw during the past games that Toure became open on several occasions, but was not targeted once. Because of that, this report looks me logical.

Lets hope that all of the drafted WR class become legit and very good to excellent WRs for Packers in the future. I like all 3.

Also, I notice (during the TC) Toure statement that he will do all what Packers is asking from him. Even he will do KR or PR duties. That is another mind scratch why they did not try him there. Well, we do not know if Packers did that and he failed or they did not.

I like him. He sounds mature for his age and looks like he is the best route runner of all rookies.

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BAMABADGER's picture

November 26, 2022 at 07:12 pm

I searched the "worldwide web". I have found no information of a comment by Rodgers regarding Toure, except positive ones. In September, AR did say, Toure needed to get more involved. No further information from Rodgers on what "more involved" means.

2 points
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Rarescope's picture

November 26, 2022 at 09:38 pm

@Croat - ARod did say that something like a month ago about Toure not fighting for extra YAC during practice. I’m too chuffed to look it up but it is a legit quote - just a little late. It sounded at the time like Toure got the message - I’ve been hoping ever since to see him be a bigger part of the game plan.

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Coldworld's picture

November 27, 2022 at 12:02 am

That was a reference to him having been like that in camp but having since got the message.

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splitpea1's picture

November 26, 2022 at 04:08 pm

The Eagles' run defense is middling, but not horrible. And you would think they would be anticipating Jones getting a decent amount of carries. The Commanders beat them by converting 12 of 21 third downs and hogging TOP by a better than 2:1 margin.

Does Barry trust the back end of his defense enough to use a spy on Hurts in certain instances? If so, please use someone who can tackle in the open field (that rules Savage out).

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Coldworld's picture

November 27, 2022 at 12:03 am

He’s used Walker as the spy previously this season.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 27, 2022 at 03:40 am

Philly did just sign Suh and Linval Joseph. I don't know how much those guys have left. Linval Joseph just 2 seasons ago was set to be the highest paid NT in the NFL, but he is 34 now. I do think Suh has lost a fair amount of what made him special as last year I think he had to sell out on the run to get those 6 sacks. I think it is likely that one of Joseph/Suh is better than Fletcher Cox.

I'd have liked to get a look at Jordan Davis but he is on IR.

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13TimeChamps's picture

November 26, 2022 at 04:22 pm

Don't they know how to increase font size across the pond? Those tiny letters are brutal to try and read for us in our "golden years".

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MainePackFan's picture

November 26, 2022 at 07:53 pm

That made me laugh.

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Rarescope's picture

November 26, 2022 at 09:40 pm

I see you still haven’t learned or accepted that the display of websites on your browser is something that you have control over.

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Savage57's picture

November 27, 2022 at 06:08 am

He makes a valid point. Oldacres is the only writer on CHTV to use the micro font. If the copy is unreadable for some readers without manipulating their browser settings, just publish it in a larger, legible-to-all font.

A better, simpler fix.

4 points
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BAMABADGER's picture

November 26, 2022 at 07:22 pm

In passing situations if Berry has the DBs play off Brown and Smith, plus play soft on the TEs; it will be ugly. Should we expect a change in Berry's current D philosophy after 11 games? The key is to top stop the Eagles run game (fingers crossed), and contain Hurts in the pocket... Not an easy task, hence the Eagle' W/L record. If not, Hurts should have a field day offensively against the Pack.

3 points
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coolhand's picture

November 27, 2022 at 10:53 am

Since Barry likes to drop the LBs 20 yards from the LOS in pass coverage, I think Hurts will have plenty of space to gain yards, mostly on 3rd downs so the defense never gets off the field.

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Bear's picture

November 26, 2022 at 08:01 pm

Don’t get excited about Hollins. He has a tendency to play soft and get dominated by offensive linemen.

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Rarescope's picture

November 26, 2022 at 09:42 pm

So you’re saying he will fit right in on this years defense. Sigh….

8 points
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nygary's picture

November 26, 2022 at 08:37 pm

Every young guy on the team should be getting a shot on game day. Watkins isn't even looking for the ball on many of the passes Rodgers throws to him. He has to go. Give the young guys the chance to gain experience and confidence. All you need to know about this front office is that Dean Lowery is still on this team and taking snaps away from wyatt. Lowery gets pushed all over the place in the run game, and has a big cap hit for a guy who couldn't make most teams. Wyatt needs to get experience and the FO should want to know what they have with him. Every thing this FO does is ass backwards.

3 points
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Fubared's picture

November 26, 2022 at 10:12 pm

Why do we always end up with number one draft picks that need development. Justin jefferson was a pro bowler in year one and now he is the best receiver in football all because he can flat out play from day one.
Walker is making mental mistakes and Wyatt doesnt get his role yet. I dont get it. Stokes hasnt learned at thing and is worse this year then last so he regressed. Perhaps are ones should have been mid twos or early threes?

5 points
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EnemyTerritory's picture

November 27, 2022 at 01:00 pm

Perhaps a lack of solid coaching?

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

November 27, 2022 at 02:35 pm

Because Jefferson wasnt expected to learn 2 different offenses in 1 training camp.

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pantz_bURp's picture

November 26, 2022 at 09:51 pm

We just need a bunch of Lombardi impersonators, screaming outside of 1265 Lombardi Ave:

What the hells going on in there?

I will go to a thrift store to find the lookalike clothes.

We'll take shifts, until someone provides on explanation...NickPerry, is first...followed by KnocktheSnot. Oppy, your next, Swisch is on deck. I'm next and Who's on First.....on and on and on we go....

7 points
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Fubared's picture

November 26, 2022 at 10:08 pm

The eagles havent been playing that great after their break. LIke they forgot something in the time off.
I like Jalen Hurts but he can be hit and miss passing, and his decision making can be poor as well. You just dont know what Jalen Hurts shows up.
I think the pass D of the Eagles is also suspect and Rodgers can have some success their too if he has time to pass.
No it could be a good game or a blow out who the heck knows.

2 points
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Johnblood27's picture

November 26, 2022 at 10:46 pm

I absolutely know one thing for certain...

One team is gonna win and one team is gonna lose.

...and oh yeah, Watkins is absolutely D-O-N-E. I cannot believe the flower is still running him out there. incompetence illustrated...

8 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 27, 2022 at 03:43 am

A tie seems possible? 😝

5 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

November 27, 2022 at 09:04 am

Me thinks when #12 said R-E-LA-X....well, Sammy heard a recording of this and thought it was meant for him when he was in the game on offense (and learning the playbook).

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SinceLombardi's picture

November 27, 2022 at 06:40 am

One thing to watch will be the Philly coaching staff out coaching GB. As the last three years have shown: if 12 doesn’t play like Superman.. we lose. For some reason MLF couldn’t transition this team to a strong running team.

2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

November 27, 2022 at 08:00 am

I have seen potential in the run game. Yet the injuries to the line and lack of the threat of the passing game has hindered it. Until teams fear the pass, the run game will suffer.

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 27, 2022 at 11:29 am

This game will be on the O line. Move people off their marks and protect Rodgers.

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mrtundra's picture

November 27, 2022 at 08:27 am

MLF refused to run the damn ball in many games, this season. Aaron Jones is our best player on Offense. Dillon is our workhorse on short yardage plays, to move the chains and especially on the goal line. Use these guys to move the ball and take the heat off Rodgers's thumb excuses, for bad passes.

5 points
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coolhand's picture

November 27, 2022 at 10:58 am

Why Caleb Jones is not out there in short yardage I'll never know. The Packers keep drafting smaller OL and not road graders like you need if you want to run the ball.

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mrtundra's picture

November 27, 2022 at 08:23 am

If Rodgers overthrows another receiver, maybe they should give Rodgers's snaps to Love.

1 points
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stockholder's picture

November 27, 2022 at 11:49 am

Start Love. And Gutey will screw up the draft. Why? They'll pick another QB, earlier then they need to. After Michigan beat OS. I wouldn't draft their qb!. I wouldn't draft their Wrs either. I wouldn't draft any buck eye.

2 points
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ricky's picture

November 27, 2022 at 02:31 pm

The idea that the Packer should run the ball; play press coverage on the Philly receivers, and try some new players to give them a spark are all excellent ideas. But, seriously, we've all heard the talk, and seen the reality. So, maybe they will try the new players. The rest? Forget it.

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