The Green Bay Packers are tasked with taking care of a 3-7-1 Philadelphia Eagles team in week 13. The 2020 season hasn’t gone the way the Eagles have hoped, but in a dreadful NFC East, they are still in the hunt for the division. Green Bay can’t take Philadelphia lightly, seeing that they aren't short of talent on either side of the ball.

The Packers should be seeking revenge against the Eagles after they handed them their first loss of the season last year in week four. Philadelphia outplayed Green Bay with their physicality, dominating in the trenches on offense and defense. In many ways, that game served as an effective way of beating the 2019 Packers- just ask the San Francisco 49ers.

The Eagles rushed for 176 yards, while Green Bay’s backfield could only muster 77 of their own and less than four yards per carry. Aaron Rodgers did everything he could to keep the Packers in it, completing 34 passes for 422 passing yards and two touchdowns. Davante Adams was on the receiving end of 10 of those passes and racked up 180 yards before exiting the game with a toe injury. On the final drive, Rodgers was picked off at the one-yard line trying to fit a slant to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and send the game to overtime.

In the history of matchups between these two teams, Green Bay still owns the bragging rights. They lead the all-time series 27-17, including playoffs, and have won two of the last three. Rodgers is 4-1 against Philadelphia during his career.

Rodgers will try to outduel a laboring Carson Wentz, who is currently having the worst season of his career. In 2019, Wentz threw for three touchdowns against the Packers’ defense, but that shouldn’t be the case this time. Wentz leads the NFL with 15 interceptions in 2020 and has a passer rating of 73.4. The Eagles quarterback hasn’t been the only reason for the team’s downfall, but he certainly hasn’t done much in the way of helping them get their head above water.

Philadelphia has battled injuries this year, however, they are still dangerous after taking the Seattle Seahawks down to the wire last week. That said, there’s no excuse for Green Bay to drop this one being at home and facing a team possibly considering a rebuild for younger talent. For some reason, this game still doesn’t feel like it’s already in the bag by any means.

Wentz could very well get hot this week, and running back Myles Sanders could have himself a good outing against a teetering Packers run defense. They also got a little healthier after activating tight end, Zach Ertz, off injured reserve this week. Ertz has been on IR since week six and was the team’s leading receiver in last year’s meeting.

On offense, Green Bay will have to account for Eagles defensive playmakers such as Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Fletcher Cox, and Darius Slay. Slay was their most notable acquisition this offseason, but he is a familiar face from his days in Detroit. Adams should have fun lining up across from an old rival and still one of the league’s best corners.

The key to the Packers winning this week could yet again come down to who wins upfront. When Green Bay has faced more physical opponents, they have been known to yield rather than push back. The likes of Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary need to do their part in making Wentz as uncomfortable as possible. It shouldn’t be too hard as he’s been sacked the most in the NFL this season at 46 times. Also, the middle of the defense needs to remain physical and finish tackles so Sanders doesn’t have a career day.

Offensively, the Packers need to commit and stick to the run game similar to how they did a week ago against the Chicago Bears. Rodgers will be able to air it out plenty, but running the ball effectively will open things up more. It will be tougher with no Corey Linsley this week, but Green Bay needs to show they are still capable of a viable rushing attack and protecting Rodgers.

The Packers are a December team, and now they have the opportunity for a strong finish in the final stretch of the season.