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SAO PAULO — A nine-hour flight to Brazil and some time practicing under the sun in Sao Paulo seem to have softened the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers ahead of their season opener on Friday. Numerous players and coaches made comments before the trip suggesting they were unenthusiastic, concerned or downright grumpy about participating in the first NFL game in South America. But on Thursday, excitement drowned out those concerns. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts says it's a "blessing" to be able to play in Brazil after he grew up playing football on the streets of East Houston. Packers coach Matt LaFleur greeted the local media in Portuguese.
