The NFL heads to Brazil, as the Eagles take their first home game of the season to Sao Paulo Brazil, to take on the Packers in what figures to be a cracking Friday Night game of football. With the Eagles looking to bounce back after a poor end to season 2023/24, and the Packers looking to build on their momentum from their finish to last season, both teams will be desperate to get off to a 1-0 start in Brazil!
Below, we will dissect the matchup, previewing how we think things will play out, and give out our NFL Best Bet. Make sure you are following Before You Bet, as we will have dedicated NFL Match Previews for all prime-time games this season, as well as a preview of the main slate on Mondays. All for free!
And if you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out our NFL Season Preview, with picks for Super Bowl, Divisional, and Award winners for the 2024/25 season!
NFL Week 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Philadelphia Eagles vs Green Bay Packers
Corinthians Stadium, Brazil, Saturday 7th September, 10:15am (AEST)
Last Season
The Eagles got off to a hot start last season, leading many to believe the Super Bowl hangover wasn’t going to apply to them. After going 10-1 heading into a week 13 clash with the 49ers, the Eagles were again looking like the likely team to reach the Super Bowl from the NFC, following wins over the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Bills in their previous three games. Then they hosted the 49ers as 3-point favourites and were annihilated 42-19. Subsequent losses to the Cowboys and Seahawks late had the Eagles dropping out of first place in the East, eventually finishing 11-6 as the #5 seed in the NFC. This meant they headed to Tampa for Wild Card weekend, where they closed 3-point road favourites. The Bucs sent a message, pummelling the Eagles 32-9 in a game that ultimately resulted in both Eagles’ coordinators being fired.
As for the Packers, they had the opposite season to the Eagles. Starting 2-4, the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love seemed to take some time to gel, with several new receivers getting action, as well as Love being named QB1 for the first time in his career, after being Aaron Rodgers backup since being drafted. The Packers went on to win five of their next six matches, eventually finishing the season at 9-8, squeaking into 7th place in the NFC. In Wild Card week, the Packers headed to Dallas to take on the #2 seed Cowboys, where they totally outplayed the home team, winning 48-32. They then headed to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, and very nearly caused a massive upset, eventually going down 24-21, despite leading 21-17 with just over a minute left on the clock. High expectations then, for the Packers heading into season 2024/25.
Injury Report
Philadelphia Eagles
Devin White (LB) – OUT
James Bradberry (CB) – OUT
Le’Raven Clark (OT) – OUT
Ainias Smith (WR) – OUT
Albert Okwuegbunam (TE) – OUT
Sydney Brown (S) – OUT
Isaiah Rodgers (CB) – Questionable
Green Bay Packers
Arron Mosby (DE) – OUT
Tyler Davis (TE) – OUT
Jonathan Ford (DT) – OUT
AJ Dillon (RB) – OUT
Tucker Kraft (TE) – Questionable
Emanuel Wilson / Marshawn Lloyd (RB) – Questionable
Romeo Doubs (WR) – Questionable
Edgerrin Cooper (LB) – Questionable
Carrington Valentine (DB) – Questionable
Match Preview
The Eagles opened slight 1.5-point favourites for this matchup on a neutral field, with gradual money filtering in for the Eagles, who now sit as close to 2.5-point favourites. As for the total, it opened 48.5, and has been bet up ever so slightly to 49. So not a great deal of movement, with the market seemingly having a good grasp on both these teams heading into week 1.
Both teams are close to full strength, with the Eagles missing out on two defensive starters in Bradberry and White, although they should be replaceable and shouldn’t change the handicap in this matchup. For what it’s worth, I make the Eagles a short 1.5-point favourite for this matchup on a neutral field, with my week 1 power ratings having these teams both sitting inside the best 10 teams in the NFL.
Both teams have brought in an elite running back via free agency, with the Eagles pulling a swiftie over NFC East rivals the Giants in signing Saquon Barkley, whilst the Packers have replaced Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs. Both these guys will be looking to get off on the right foot for their new teams in week 1, and I expect both to be featured heavily.
This should be a tremendous game of football, coming off the back of the massive Thursday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Ravens, and will have another two teams with Super Bowl aspirations get an early prime time game to show punters what they’ve got. Whilst I do agree with the Eagles being favoured, I like the Packers here and believe the price on the dog is the play. I can see the Packers also being a great teaser leg, getting them up over 7-points, and will no doubt have them in some of my teasers this week.
As for a prop bet, I like Josh Jacobs to have a big first game for the Packers. He should take over from where Aaron Jones left off, and with no AJ Dillon will see plenty of snaps. Given he is also a threat in the passing game, I’ll take the new Packers lead back to gain 100+ all-purpose yards in this one.
Prop Bet: Josh Jacobs (100+) rushing + receiving yards - $2.75 at Bet365 (1u)
Packers to win
$2.22 (1.5 units)
