Three takeaways from Packers’ loss vs. Eagles in Week 4

Here are three takeaways from the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.

You have to lose your first game at some point. For the Green Bay Packers, it came at home on a short week.

The Packers had their opportunities early on to build a big lead, and then chances late to tie the game. But they couldn’t get it done, and instead, drop to 3-1 with the first quarter of the season coming to an end.

What did we learn from the game?

1. Run defense needs serious work

For all the praise the defense has been given this year, they haven’t been able to stop the run. Over the past three weeks, Green Bay has given up 523 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. That’s 174 rushing yards per game. Simply not good enough.

Until the Packers can stop the run, this will be the formula to beat them. Run the ball, run it again and make it easier to throw.

In their next six games, the Packers will face Ezekiel Elliott, Kerryon Johnson, Josh Jacobs, Melvin Gordon and Christian McCaffrey.

If they can’t figure out how to stop the run, the defense will struggle.

2. Aaron Rodgers looked comfortable

The offense left too many points out there in this game, and their struggles in the red zone were particularly frustrating. But after a slow start to the season, Aaron Rodgers looked at ease for much of the game and was close to his best. That’s by far the biggest positive to take away from this game.

He escaped pressure and picked up yards on the ground, made throws on the run and was as accurate as ever. With the offense unable to run the ball, Rodgers stepped up and threw 53 times for 422 yards, two touchdowns with an interception. His pick at the end was unlucky as the pass was tipped in the air.

If Rodgers can build on this performance, the offense will continue to improve.

3. Injuries beginning to build

For the most part, the Packers hadn’t lost too many starters in the first month of the season. That all changed on Thursday night.

Jamaal Williams left the game early after an ugly hit. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga also left the game due to a shoulder injury. In the fourth quarter, Davante Adams injured his toe and wouldn’t return. That’s three key players on offense.

First of all, let’s hope Williams is healthy. Forget football. That was a scary hit.

The Packers will hope Bulaga and Adams don’t have to miss much time, if any.

With 10 days until the next game, the Packers have some time to get healthy. They’ll need to be as close to full strength possible in a huge game against the Dallas Cowboys.