The confirmation took a whole week, but the expected quarterback matchup In the NFC Wild Card Round, the showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles is finally official.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts were both removed from the final injury report Friday and will play in Sunday's playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field.
While Love injured his right elbow in the season finale and Hurts started the week in concussion protocol, Love practiced at full capacity on Thursday and Friday and Hurts cleared concussion protocol on Friday.
Both quarterbacks are healthy enough to play. So who will be better on Sunday?
Love completed 60.0 percent of passes, averaged 6.2 yards per attempt and had a passer rating of just 87.0 in the final three games of the regular season. Hurts, on the other hand, suffered a concussion after completing just four passes in Week 16 and missed the last two games. On Sunday it will be a duel between a quarterback who didn't play particularly well at the end of the season and a quarterback who hasn't played a full game since December 15th.
Both quarterbacks are dealing with wide receiver injuries. Christian Watson suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season finale, robbing the Packers passing game of its biggest threat. The Eagles, meanwhile, are dealing with injuries to AJ Brown (knee) and Devonta Smith (back), both of whom are expected to play on Sunday after missing practice this week.
The Packers also have their backup quarterback option available. Malik Willis does not have a status designation despite injuring his right thumb in the season finale. He practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, as did Love.
So often big games – especially in the playoffs – are decided by the play of the quarterbacks. Which quarterback – Love or Hurts – will rise to the occasion better and make the big plays needed to advance in the postseason?
