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Packers' defense, eager for test vs. Eagles, fails

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, and three starting offensive linemen did not have suited up for Green Bay's potent offense Saturday night.

The Eagles' Trey Burton scores a first-quarter touchdown Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis.
The Eagles' Trey Burton scores a first-quarter touchdown Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis.Read more

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, and three starting offensive linemen did not have suited up for Green Bay's potent offense Saturday night.

But for the first time this summer, the Packers had all 11 preferred starters on defense for their preseason game against the Eagles. And Green Bay couldn't wait to see how it fared against Chip Kelly's fastbreak offense.

Afterward, the Packers were beaten, broken, and still trying to catch their breath.

The Eagles scored touchdowns on all three of their possessions. The breathtaking performance helped them race to a 25-0 lead and roll past the Packers, 39-26.

It's foolish to read too much into a meaningless game in August in which teams typically don't scheme or plan for specific opponents. Still, with 10 defensive starters back from a year ago - and the entire unit together Saturday - the Packers were excited to face the Eagles' high-flying offense.

"We thought this would be a great test for us," Packers cornerback Casey Hayward said. "But they put a whipping on us, and that's a concern. We kind of took it to them last year [a 53-20 Green Bay win], and they definitely got some payback. We're definitely disappointed."

With good reason.

Sam Bradford shredded a Green Bay defense that ranked 10th in passing yards allowed per game (226.4) and seventh in opposing quarterback rating (82.0) last season.

Bradford was a perfect 10 for 10 passing, for 121 yards. Bradford also threw three touchdowns and finished with a quarterback rating of 156.7, just 1.6 off the highest score possible.

"We definitely care. Even though it's the preseason, we definitely care," Packers safety Morgan Burnett said. "You never want an offense to come in and put up points on you like that. It's all hands on deck now. Nobody's making excuses. Just give the Eagles credit because they executed their plays and just took it to us."

Raheem Mostert opened the game with a 67-yard kickoff return for the Eagles. Six plays later, Darren Sproles beat Packers linebacker Sam Barrington on a wheel route, and Bradford delivered a strike for an 8-yard touchdown.

One series later, Bradford led an eight-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that he capped with a 3-yard scoring strike to tight end Trey Burton on fourth down. Burton lined up wide left, the Packers rushed six, and Burton separated from safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

After Eagles safety Walter Thurmond returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown, Bradford and company went back to work. This time, it took the Eagles just four plays to march 55 yards for a score.

Sproles beat Barrington for a 33-yard reception, and Jordan Matthews hauled in a 17-yard completion against safety Micah Hyde. Bradford then hit tight end Brett Celek, who had gotten behind Barrington, for a 7-yard TD.

During the three series in which the Eagles' No. 1 offense faced Green Bay's No. 1 defense, the Birds averaged 8.4 yards per play. The Eagles also had nine first downs on their 18 plays.

"They do stress defenses with what they do," Barrington said of the Eagles offense. "It's humbling, because we know what we want to do this year."