The Philadelphia Eagles held off a sluggish Green Bay Packers 10-7 on Monday Night Football, November 10, 2025, at Lambeau Field — a game defined not by fireworks, but by absence. Two key players, one on each sideline, were missing from the active roster, and their absence shaped the entire outcome. The Green Bay Packers lost rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to a shoulder injury, while the Philadelphia Eagles sat veteran running back A.J. Dillon for the second time this season. The result? A gritty, low-scoring win for Philadelphia — and a sobering reminder of how thin the margin between victory and defeat can be in the NFL.
Golden’s absence cripples Packers’ passing game
Matthew Golden, the 21-year-old rookie out of Alabama, was ruled inactive after missing the final two practices of the week — Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9 — due to a lingering shoulder issue. His absence wasn’t just a depth problem; it was a strategic vacuum. Golden had emerged as Aaron Rodgers’ most reliable target in the red zone, catching five touchdowns in his last four games. Without him, the Packers’ offense looked disjointed, especially on third downs. Green Bay managed just 241 total yards, with quarterback Jordan Love completing only 17 of 33 passes. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s game review noted, “Packers’ offense struggles in 10-7 loss to Eagles,” and it wasn’t hyperbole. Golden’s speed and route precision were missed on slants and out routes — the very plays that usually open up the middle of the field. The team didn’t score a touchdown after the first quarter.Eagles adapt without Dillon, rely on Barkley’s brilliance
On the other side, the Philadelphia Eagles were without A.J. Dillon, a bruising 6-foot-1, 247-pound back who had been a key change-of-pace option. His second inactive designation of the season — the first coming in Week 4 against Dallas — forced head coach Nick Sirianni to lean entirely on his trio of backs: Saquon Barkley (27), Tank Bigsby (23), and Will Shipley (22). Barkley carried the load with 28 touches for 134 yards and a touchdown, but the Eagles’ offensive line was visibly fatigued by the fourth quarter. Still, they held the ball for over 36 minutes, grinding out drives that kept Green Bay’s offense off the field. It was old-school football: control the clock, limit mistakes, and let the defense do the rest.
How the inactives list shaped the game
The NFL’s final inactives list is released 90 minutes before kickoff, and teams don’t announce these decisions lightly. For the Packers, losing Golden meant abandoning their deep-passing game. Love, who had thrown for 280 yards and three scores in his previous outing, was forced into short, safe throws — and the Eagles’ secondary, led by Darius Slay, capitalized. Philadelphia, meanwhile, had planned for Dillon’s absence. The team had been rotating Bigsby and Shipley in short-yardage situations since Week 6, so the adjustment wasn’t as jarring. But it did expose a lack of depth. Bigsby fumbled once in the third quarter, and Shipley, though electric on screens, couldn’t handle a 15-carry workload over 60 minutes. The Eagles’ win was a testament to coaching, not roster depth.What this means for the playoff race
With the win, the Philadelphia Eagles improved to 7-3, solidifying their grip on the NFC East. The loss dropped the Green Bay Packers to 4-6, making their playoff hopes increasingly slim. Matthew Golden’s injury is especially concerning — shoulder issues in rookies can linger, and his absence could extend into Week 11 against the Vikings. Meanwhile, A.J. Dillon’s inactivity raises questions: is it a minor tweak, or is the team managing his workload ahead of a potential postseason run? The Eagles’ medical staff hasn’t commented, but insiders say Dillon’s ankle, which flared up in Week 8, is still being monitored.
Behind the scenes: How inactives are decided
NFL teams submit their inactives list to the league office 90 minutes before kickoff. Each team can designate seven players inactive from their 53-man roster. The decision is usually made by the head coach, in consultation with the medical staff and coordinators. For Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Golden’s absence was a clear call: no risk, no reward. For Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, it was a calculated gamble — trust your depth, or risk burning out your starters. Both teams chose differently. One paid off. The other didn’t.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Matthew Golden inactive, and is his injury serious?
Matthew Golden was inactive due to a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the final two practices before the game. While the Packers haven’t released a specific diagnosis, missing practice time this close to a Monday night game suggests a strain or sprain, not a fracture. Rookie receivers are often monitored closely for shoulder issues, as they’re prone to re-injury on contested catches. His status for Week 11 is listed as day-to-day.
How often has A.J. Dillon been inactive this season?
A.J. Dillon has been inactive twice in the 2025 season — Week 4 against the Cowboys and Week 10 against the Packers. He played in all other games, including the first nine weeks. His inactivity appears strategic rather than injury-related, possibly to preserve his body for the stretch run. The Eagles have used Saquon Barkley as the primary back in those games, with Bigsby and Shipley handling short-yardage roles.
Did the Packers’ offense improve after Golden’s injury in Week 9?
No — in Week 9 against the Lions, Golden played through minor shoulder discomfort and caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Packers scored 27 points that game. His absence in Week 10 led to a drop to just 7 points. His chemistry with Jordan Love, particularly on quick outs and comeback routes, was clearly a key component of their offensive rhythm.
What’s the impact on the Eagles’ running back depth going forward?
With A.J. Dillon inactive and no other RBs on the 53-man roster beyond Barkley, Bigsby, and Shipley, the Eagles are dangerously thin. If Barkley suffers even a minor tweak, they’d have to promote from the practice squad — likely 23-year-old undrafted free agent D’Andre Swift Jr. The team has not added a running back since Week 5, and with a tough stretch ahead (Buccaneers, Commanders, Cowboys), depth could become a major issue.
How do NFL teams decide who to activate or deactivate?
Teams consider injury status, matchup advantages, and game plan needs. For example, if a team is facing a run-heavy defense, they might deactivate a pass-catching tight end to add an extra linebacker. In this case, the Packers deactivated Golden because they didn’t trust their other WRs to handle the Eagles’ press coverage. The Eagles deactivated Dillon to protect his ankle and because their scheme favors Barkley’s versatility. It’s less about health and more about fit.
Will this loss hurt the Packers’ playoff chances?
Yes. At 4-6, the Packers trail the Vikings and Lions in the NFC North and are now 2.5 games behind the final wild card spot. With only eight games left, they need to win at least six — and that’s only if other teams stumble. Their offense, now without Golden and with Jordan Love struggling under pressure, lacks the explosiveness to make up ground. A playoff berth now looks unlikely unless they turn things around dramatically.