By Patrick Del Gaone, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles visit the Motor City this weekend hoping to avenge a 45-14 Thanksgiving trouncing at the hands of Detroit last year. While some experts believe the Eagles will cruise to victory over the 1-3 Lions, Oddsmakers in Vegas have Philadelphia favored by just three points, with nearly 80 percent of wagers being placed on the Eagles. The spread actually opened with the Lions favored by 2.5 points, and has since shifted to make Philly a road favorite, an indication that betters may be siding with the right team. (Vegas Insider)
If Doug Pederson’s team prevails on Sunday, they’ll be the first NFL team ever to go 4-0 with a rookie quarterback at the helm. With history on the line, here’s a look at how the teams matchup this time around.
Eagles Offense vs. Lions Defense
Detroit’s defense has been gashed for 386 yards per game (25th in NFL), and is allowing over 25 points per game (20th in NFL). Moreover, they’ve allowed an abysmal 6.3 yards per play, which is second worst in the league. Meanwhile, the surprisingly potent Eagles offense has scored just under 31 points per game in their three wins (2nd in NFL).
Carson Wentz will have his full arsenal of weapons on Sunday, as Zach Ertz makes his return to the Philadelphia lineup after sitting out two games with a rib injury. The Lions will be without their premier pass rusher, Ziggy Ansah, which means Wentz should have sufficient time in the pocket to throw against a less-than-stellar Detroit secondary. At the moment, it looks like bookend tackle Lane Johnson will be in the lineup to protect the rookie’s front side, although a ruling on his suspension appeal could be announced any day now.
Although Wentz was given ample opportunities to sling the ball around in the first three weeks, the rushers and hog-mollies have combined to produce 119 yards per game on the ground (9th in NFL). Wendell Smallwood, Kenjon Barner and Darren Sproles could receive another heavy workload out of the backfield, as Ryan Mathews continues to recover from a lingering ankle injury that limited him to just two carries against Pittsburgh. Although the former Charger may be restrained, he is expected to suit up following the much needed bye week.
Jim Caldwell's team ranks 23rd in the league with 458 rushing yards allowed, so don’t be surprised if Pederson and Frank Reich use a ground and pound attack against Teryl Austin’s defense, particularly after Barner and Smallwood dismantled the Steelers tough front-seven in week 3.
The Lions like to use creativity to pressure opposing quarterbacks. In week 4, Austin blitzed two defensive backs from Brian Hoyer’s front side while dropping a defensive lineman and a linebacker in coverage from the backside. The overload play call created a three on two, allowing cornerback Darius Slay a free release around the edge for the sack.
Among the detriments hindering Detroit defensively is their lack of gang tackling and swarming to the football, which is one of the corrections benefitting the Eagles immensely under Jim Schwartz. Middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead has 34 combined tackles this season, nearly twice as many as safety Glover Quin, who ranks second on the unit.
Lions Offense vs. Eagles Defense
With Calvin Johnson now retired, the Lions are spreading the ball around more than ever. Five players have at least 14 catches thus far, and Matthew Stafford’s seven touchdowns have been thrown to five different pass catchers. Theo Riddick, Eric Ebron and Marvin Jones have been the most productive weapons for the Lions offense, while expected No. 1 wideout Golden Tate has been a major disappointment, yet to surpass 100 yards on the season.
Stopping Riddick will be the key for Philadelphia’s ripsnorting defense. Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will line up the versatile halfback all over the field in attempt to create inevitable matchup problems for Schwartz’s defense.
Riddick is a natural receiver out of the backfield. In fact, he started at wide receiver during his sophomore and junior seasons at Notre Dame before finding a home at running back in his senior year. Detroit’s pass-first offense has allowed the former Fighting Irish all-purpose back to gain a majority of his yardage through the air.
When Stafford and the Lions need a big play, they have a propensity to use double moves to take the top off of a defense, or simply move the chains. Much like a hockey goaltender against a breakaway, it would behoove the Eagles back-seven to avoid taking the bait on the first move by Detroit’s receiving threats. When he’s on his game, Stafford’s timing on the “Stick Nod” and “Out and Up” is impeccable.
The “Stick Nod” is often run with Ebron or a slot receiver, who will run about ten yards before engaging the cover man and taking a step or two toward the sideline, then quickly slanting diagonally back over the middle of the field. Routes of this kind usually take time to develop, so if Philly’s defensive line can sustain the kind of pressure on Stafford that we’ve become accustomed to seeing, Schwartz’s defense will thwart most downfield efforts.
The Lions offensive line is a youthful unit, and none of Philly’s first three opponents have been able to block the Eagles defensive front with any kind of consistency. Having said that, defensive tackle Bennie Logan’s status is up in the air after leaving Thursday’s practice with a strained calf. For Detroit to defeat the Eagles, they’ll need an outstanding performance from the big men up front, and some good fortune on a couple deep routes to Jones, Ebron or Tate.
Ebron, the Lions multifaceted tight end, is listed as questionable for Sunday's rematch. If the former Tar Heel isn't suited up, the Lions chances of pulling off the upset would slightly diminish.
Player of the Game: Brandon Graham
Prediction: Eagles win 24-16
