Packers’ undefeated start dies with goal-to-go failures

With Davante Adams injured and out of the lineup, the Packers couldn't get the ball in the end zone and lost 34-27 to the Eagles.

Offensively, the red zone was the dead zone.

Defensively, the Packers were run over again.

Combined, Green Bay’s undefeated start crashed and burned with a 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, who scored the upset behind a pair unlikely goal-line stands in the fourth quarter on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers (3-1) moved the ball up and down the field, finishing with 491 yards, but went 3-of-7 in the red zone and were minus-2 in turnovers against the Eagles (2-2)

“That’s not going to get it done in this league,” coach Matt LaFleur said.

On second-and-goal from the 3 with a half-minute remaining, Aaron Rodgers’ pass to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was deflected by Craig James, who was promoted from the practice squad on Tuesday, and intercepted by linebacker Nigel Bradham for the fourth and final red-zone failure.

Video: Adams on Packers after 3-1 start

Trailing 34-27 earlier in the fourth quarter, the Packers had first-and-goal at the 1. With star receiver Davante Adams having a monster game but in the medical tent with an injured toe, the Packers threw it four consecutive times, resulting in four consecutive incompletions. On first down, Rodgers threw a jump ball to tight end Jimmy Graham but safety Rodney McLeod ripped the ball out as they fell to the turf. On second down, Rodgers threw the ball to the turf on a bootleg. On third down, Rodgers kept it on a read-option but McLeod forced Rodgers to quickly throw the ball away to prevent a loss. On fourth down, Rodgers extended the play to the right before throwing a high ball to Graham, who couldn’t make the play.

“Obviously, having (Adams) out there would've been for the better, but we had chances,” Rodgers said. “We had a lot of chances down the stretch. We moved the ball well all night long. We just struggled in the red zone. Two field goals, four passes on one and then obviously a turnover.”

After the first goal-line stand, Packers PA announcer Bill Jartz called for a safety but that would have required a play by Green Bay’s miserable run defense. The Packers finally got a stop, taking over at their 11 with 5:02 to play. Without Adams, Rodgers had Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard and Darrius Shepherd as options at receiver for the final drive.

Still, the Packers had a chance. Rodgers hit Graham for 12, scrambled for 11, checked it down to fullback Danny Vitale for 8 and connected with running back Aaron Jones for 13 to the Eagles’ 43. On third-and-8 from the 41 at the 2-minute warning, Rodgers threw incomplete to Graham but safety Johnathan Cyprien was flagged for pass interference for a 6-yard penalty and a first down. Valdes-Scantling then made an excellent catch on a pass that was thrown behind him for a gain of 17 to the 18. After an incomplete pass, Rodgers hit tight end Robert Tonyan over the middle to the 7. On the play, cornerback Avonte Maddox was hit by safety Andrew Sendejo and stayed on the turf for several minutes before being carted off the field.

When play resumed, it was first-and-goal at the 7 with 1:06 remaining. Jones ran it to the 3 before Rodgers was intercepted.

The Packers entered the game ranked second in the league in points allowed but were exposed by a much better quarterback than Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky, Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins and Denver’s Joe Flacco. Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz threw three touchdown passes and got the support of a running game that churned out 176 yards, including a pair of touchdowns by Jordan Howard.

Fortunately for Green Bay, Rodgers looked a lot like the two-time MVP quarterback he is rather than the game-manager he had been in the team’s 3-0 start. He finished 34-of-53 passing for 422 yards with two touchdowns and the interception to keep the Packers in the game.

The injuries ran beyond Adams for the Packers. They lost running back Jamaal Williams to a head and neck injury on the first play from scrimmage. He was carted off the field but had feeling and movement in his extremities. Cornerback Kevin King (groin), right tackle Bryan Bulaga (shoulder) and safety Will Redmond (concussion) also were knocked out of the game. Without Williams and with Dexter Williams inactive, the Packers had only Jones and Vitale in the backfield.

“It definitely factored in,” LaFleur said. “When we dress two halfbacks, that’s one of the risks you take. We’ve got a lot of faith in Dann Vitale to go in there and spell Aaron Jones, but it’s a load on a back to play every snap in this league.”

The Eagles led 21-20 at the end of a wild first half.

The Packers came out hot again with their third opening-drive touchdown in as many games. A 58-yard reception by Adams set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Jones. The Packers tacked on a field goal on their next drive to lead 10-0, but Miles Sanders returned the ensuing kickoff 67 yards to set up Wentz’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery.

A 40-yard catch by Adams helped put the Packers ahead 13-7 but the Eagles answered with Wentz’s 3-yard touchdown to tight end Dallas Goedert to lead 14-13. Then came a big sequence. On the first play after the two-minute warning, defensive end Derek Barnett stripped the ball from Rodgers, with fellow end Brandon Graham recovering to give the ball to the Eagles at Green Bay’s 17. Howard ran the ball four consecutive times, with his 1-yard touchdown making it 21-13.

Given 59 seconds, Rodgers moved the Packers right down the field for a key touchdown. Geronimo Allison made a leaping 31-yard catch between Eagles defensive backs Cyprien and Maddox. After Rodgers clocked the ball with 14 seconds left, he found Allison alone in the middle of the Eagles’ zone for a 19-yard touchdown.