I've been blogging since the morning and as we get closer to game time, catch up on what is going on as the Eagles prepare to host Green Bay at Lincoln Financial Field. The mood in South Philadelphia, as expected, is outstanding. The field looks terrific. The Eagles are looking to start the season off the right way ...

*3:26 p.m. *

I'm not rooting for injuries at all, but it is certainly worth pointing out that Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is out of the game against Chicago and is on the sidelines with his arm in a sling. Not a good thing for Detroit, which hosts the Eagles next week. And I'm not looking ahead a bit ...

Just making a note ...

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3:15 p.m. **

It is really an incredible feeling on the field with the 1960 team here, with the fans so amped for the home opener, with the Eagles starting a new generation here. The inactives are interesting in that offensive linemen Reggie Wells, Max Jean-Gilles and Austin Howard are down and that kick returner Jorrick Calvin is up and, I imagine, on the kickoff return team. It had been a mystery all week, and now I know why.

I think this: The Eagles need to win the battle of Trent Cole and Brandon Graham against the Packers offensive tackles. Huge, huge. I think the Eagles secondary can't give Green Bay's receivers a lot of time to run free.

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* 1:38 p.m. *

If I'm the Panthers, I blitz Eli Manning every down. Why rush only three men? If you give Manning time to throw, he will deliver. Otherwise, I think the Giants have a spotty offensive line -- from what I've seen, of course -- and Manning crumbles under pressure.

Kevin Boss has a neck injury and may not return. That is a big loss for New York.

Touchdown, Giants. Very impressive drive put together by Manning and that offense. Giants lead, 7-3.

At Lincoln Financial Field, the fans are tailgating outside. Inside, is still a quiet place. A half dozen Packers are having a catch on the field. Not a single Eagles has stepped onto the field to this point.

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*1:20 p.m. *

Eli Manning tosses an interception after tight end Kevin Boss is carted off the field and there goes DeAngelo Williams for a big gain. Not a great start by the Giants. As much as I want to watch every other game and pay attention to my fantasy team, the NFC East is what is most important. And the Giants don't look great in the early going. Offensive line had a poor start and Manning throws high and wild on the interception.

Wow! Great interception from Deon Grant, Giants safety. Fun start to the season!

Love it

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*1:02 p.m. *

Game time around the NFL and the TVs are on here at Lincoln Financial Field. I'm watching the Giants and Carolina, among other games. I still say this: the first week of the NFL season is the most unpredictable. There are going to be a bunch of upsets in Week 1 and that is why I'm glad the Packers are the first-game opponent.

Things are relatively calm here. A couple of Packers are on the field testing the turf, milling around. Players generally arrive at the stadium about 2 hours, maybe 2 1/2 hours, before kickoff just to get comfortable.

Games on!

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11:22 a.m. **

The grounds crew is removing the field cover and the field looks spectacular with the old-school Eagles logo at the 50-yard line and E A G L E S in both end zones. Really, really great. The skies are still grey, but the rain apparently has moved on.

Sal Pal from ESPN is the only other media member in the press box. He sticks with Eagles 17, Packers 13. "Why not?" he says.

I spent a few moments with Ellis Hobbs on Friday talking to him about this moment and, obviously, Hobbs is a key player here. He is hyped, but he will not allow his emotions to get the best of him today.

"I'm excited to be here and glad to be back on the field after everything I went through last year. I've worked hard to this point and I know what is ahead of me," he said. "I've been in this position before. I'm going to battle, play with intensity and give it everything I have on every play. I respect the Packers and their offense. They are dynamic. We have to play a great game."

Hobbs was not clear on whether he would return kickoffs. That is going to remain a mystery, I imagine, until the pre-game inactives are announced. If Jorrick Calvin is active, I suppose he would return kickoffs.

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*9:49 a.m. *

The skies in South Philadelphia are actually calm now. Overcast, but calm. The field should be in excellent shape as Tony Leonard and his grounds crew knew the rain was coming and made sure the field was prepared. If the weather forecast holds, there should be absolutely no problems for the game, and the temperatures will be great for football, with little wind.

So maybe the Eagles will throw the football just a little bit. The pre-game thought is that Green Bay's secondary is a question mark and the Eagles receivers are a strength, so why not? I think, and this is no revelation, that protecting Kevin Kolb dictates how everything else plays out for the offense. If he has time, he should have success.

On the other side of the ball, the defense has a lot ot worry about. Aaron Rodgers is a standout quarterback. The Packers are a well-balanced, explosive machine. Jermichael Finley is a star tight end in the making. The wide receivers are excellent and the ground game is powerful.

To beat Green Bay, the Eagles must get big, big games from Trent Cole and Brandon Graham. Or else.