Saquon Barkley scored three touchdowns in his debut for Philadelphia, leading the Eagles past the Green Bay Packers 34-29 on Friday night in the first NFL game in South America.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love limped off the field injured in the final seconds. After driving the Packers beyond midfield, Love was pressured by Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat. Love threw a backward pass to Josh Jacobs and landed awkwardly. He stayed down for several seconds before limping to the sideline. Love had signed a four-year, $220m extension this summer after leading the NFL’s youngest team to the playoffs last season, his first as a starter. Green Bay’s backup Malik Willis was sacked by Zack Baun on the final play of the game, preventing him from launching a Hail Mary from the Philadelphia 47. Packers coach Matt LaFleur had no update on Love’s injury after the game.
Barkley rushed for 109 yards and scored on an 18-yard catch and runs of 11 and two yards. Barkley spent six seasons with the New York Giants before Philadelphia signed him to a three-year deal. He became the first player to score three touchdowns in his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.
Jalen Hurts was 20 of 34 for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Eagles. AJ Brown caught five passes for 119 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown.
Green Bay’s Jayden Reed scored on a 33-yard jet sweep and a 70-yard reception, which was the longest touchdown completion of Love’s career. Reed caught Love’s pass inside Philadelphia’s 40 and made a move at around the 30 that sent safety CJ Gardner-Johnson sprawling.
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Reed became the first player to have a touchdown catch of 30-plus yards and a touchdown run of 30-plus yards in a season opener since Hall of Famer Jim Brown did it for the Cleveland Browns against Washington in 1963.
Reed also had an apparent 38-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive wiped out because both teams had 12 men on the field. He finished with four catches for 138 yards.
Love went 17 of 34 for 260 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.