PHILADELPHIA − With a thud from the past, the Green Bay Packers playoff run ended Sunday afternoon almost before it got started.

Keisean Nixon, the two-time All-Pro return specialist, fumbled the opening kickoff after being flattened by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and former Packer Oren Burks. After replay review, Nixon’s fumble was upheld. The Eagles took advantage of the short field with a touchdown three plays later.

For a team that has appeared to be on the ropes down the stretch, that was essentially ballgame in a 22-10 loss. The Packers never recovered from the fumble, though the defense at least stabilized in the first half, and the score remained within striking distance until the fourth quarter.

Even if Nixon’s fumble changed the game at the onset, a postseason loss has a way of exposing flaws entering an offseason. On a night the Packers’ season ended short of last year, when they reached the NFC divisional round, general manager Brian Gutekunst got a clear picture of where his team needs to improve before the fall of 2025.

Packers fall behind by double digits against another top NFC opponent

The Nixon fumble and ensuing touchdown especially hurt because it continued a trend from the regular season. It’s misleading to say the Packers played close in their losses against the NFC’s top teams. The more accurate description is they continually played catchup. In their six losses against the NFC’s top three teams, the Packers had a halftime lead only once. That came Week 1 against the Eagles. The Packers trailed by double digits at halftime in each of the other five. It’s hard to win that way. Even with their defense playing tough most of the night, the Packers never had any control in this game. They never had any control against the Detroit Lions or Minnesota Vikings this season either. Their inability to start fast against the best ultimately doomed the 2024 season more than anything. It’s perhaps a sign of a young team, indicating more veteran reinforcements could be useful this spring.

Packers lack of dynamic playmakers puts ceiling on what offense could do against NFL’s best defense

It’s clear general manager Brian Gutekunst has work to do with the Packers offense this offseason. The Packers needed more from quarterback Jordan Love, who finished 20 of 33 for 212 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions, a 41.5 passer rating. But Love didn’t have much chance to orchestrate an explosive offense without, it eventually became clear this season, many dynamic playmakers around him. The Packers have gone without a true No. 1 receiver since trading Davante Adams after the 2021 season. Love, three years later, rarely had open receivers to target downfield. The most glaring example came on his first interception, when Love threw a go ball to Dontayvion Wicks down the right side, only for Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. to play tight inside step for step before intercepting it. Without field stretcher Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft and Wicks offered the occasional playmaking, while Romeo Doubs was mostly ineffective before leaving with a concussion. But Love didn’t have a game breaker to throw to, and ultimately that put a ceiling on what this offense could do.

Packers finally lose turnover battle as Jordan Love’s streak without throwing an interception ends

The Packers have lived off turnovers all season, finishing third in the NFL with a plus-12 margin, including fourth with 31 takeaways. But their inability to create an Eagles turnover all night was the most significant flaw for their defense. After Nixon’s fumble, the Packers had to steal a possession from the Eagles. They had all game to do it and never could. Love, meanwhile, finished with three interceptions, ending his seven-game streak without a pick. Before Sunday, his last interception came Nov. 17 at Chicago, almost two full months without throwing to the defense. Love’s first pick was excusable, considering he was trying to make a play downfield in an offense that didn’t have that kind of firepower. The Packers had no choice but to force the issue vertically. On his second, Love appeared to not see Eagles linebacker Zack Baun lurking underneath in the middle, a sign the pass rush had sped him up. The Packers know as much as any team the benefit of winning the turnover battle, but they exited their season losing that category 4-0.

Elgton Jenkins’ injury spells disaster for Packers offensive line, exposing lack of depth

The Packers had uncommon continuity on their offensive line this season, enabling them to be one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses and providing superb protection for the quarterback, but that took a big hit in the first half. When Elgton Jenkins exited with a stinger and did not return, the Packers did not have a readily available backup. They first turned to Travis Glover, their sixth-round rookie draft pick. Glover had an ineligible-downfield penalty that put the Packers behind the sticks inside the red zone. On the next drive, he had two holding penalties on first down. The Packers replaced Glover with Kadeem Telfort and he was called for a holding penalty. Between them, Glover and Telfort combined to play 36 snaps during the regular season, 1,035 fewer than Jenkins. They also combined for four penalties.

Brandon McManus stunning miss has minimal impact on the game but still a gut punch

It’s the postseason, so of course the Packers had kicking problems. In reality, Brandon McManus’ miss wide right from 38 yards in the second quarter had minimal impact on the game. The Packers offense couldn’t find the end zone. That’s no way to win in the playoffs. But it was a stunning miss, given McManus’ consistency this season. His only prior miss was from 46 yards against the Detroit Lions in November. Splitting the uprights would have given the Packers only a touchdown deficit at halftime, which feels different than double digits. McManus responded with a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter, temporarily pulling the Packers within 10-3. He’s also warranted the Packers re-signing him this offseason after making 20 of 21 field goals and all 30 extra points.

(This story was updated to add a video.)