Key takeaways from the upcoming matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles:

• Both quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love, are coping with injuries as they lead their teams into the playoff duel.
• The Eagles' potent offense, featuring Saquon Barkley, faces a resilient Packers defense aiming to upset the NFC East champions.
• Green Bay's Jordan Love is hopeful to start despite lingering elbow pain, while Hurts has returned to practice post-concussion.
• This playoff meeting is historic, with Green Bay leading the all-time regular-season series, though the Eagles have had playoff success against them.

As the Green Bay Packers (11-6) prepare to meet the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) in an exciting NFC Wild-Card matchup, both teams enter the playoffs with significant concerns surrounding their starting quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts returned to practice following a two-week break due to a concussion and has received positive feedback from teammates regarding his energetic performance in practice [AP News]. The only question now remains how effectively he can perform under playoff pressure.

On the other side, Jordan Love is experiencing soreness in his elbow sustained during the final regular season game against the Chicago Bears. Limited in practice, Love remains "hopeful" to start, highlighting the uncertainties both teams face at the quarterback position [AP News]. With game-time temperatures expected to hover in the 20s, the match may pivot on which quarterback can survive the physical toll of a playoff game.

The Eagles, currently the favorites with a spread of 4.5 points, have showcased their might this season by leading the NFL in defensive statistics. Saquon Barkley, who has rushed for over 2,000 yards this season, is a player to watch, having dominated in the previous encounter between these two teams, scoring three crucial touchdowns [AP News].

The Eagles need Hurts to be at his best to effectively run their offense, especially given his success in the season that saw him pass for 2,903 yards, with an impressive ratio of 18 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence in the team's performance, noting the growth and connectivity among players [AP News]. However, with the loss of prominent players like wide receiver Christian Watson for the Packers, others must step up, particularly Jayden Reed, who will be critical in alleviating the pressure on Love.

Historically, this matchup holds significance as Green Bay aims to replicate their success from the previous postseason when they managed an upset as the No. 7 seed. They are familiar with the challenges such games present against high-scoring teams like the Eagles, who are notably undefeated at home this year [AP News]. As both teams prepare, all eyes will be on the quarterbacks and how they manage to execute their strategies under the playoff spotlight.

With the stage set for what promises to be an exhilarating playoff encounter on Sunday, fans eagerly await to see if Green Bay can once again upset a higher-seeded opponent or if Philadelphia will showcase their championship potential. Regardless of the outcome, this Wild-Card game holds the promise of thrilling football and intense competition.