Zach Ertz caught two touchdown passes from Nick Foles in the Eagles 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. Foles, Ertz and the Eagles host the Detroit Lions on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
As the final five games threatened a bid for the Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East and make the playoffs in Chip Kelly’s debut season, this was the game that seemed to pose the biggest challenge. Even after defeating the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, it still does.
The Eagles survived Larry Fitzgerald, Carson Palmer and the upstart Cardinals. Now they get the Detroit Lions, led by none other than Calvin Johnson. Megatron is the beneficiary of long strikes from Matthew Stafford as part of the NFL’s second-best passing offense. The Eagles sit in ninth.
What separates the two teams is overall offense. The Eagles and LeSean McCoy rank second in rushing in the NFL in addition to the ninth-place standing in the passing game. The Lions are 15th in rushing yards per game.
That is certainly no knock on Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, who have helped Detroit balance the running game to become a dangerous part of the Lions offense.
The place where the Eagles clearly stand out is passing defense. Despite ranking last in the league in yards allowed per game passing, the Eagles defense has been the strong point during a four-game winning streak. The Lions meanwhile, are ranked 26th in the league in pass defense, meaning Nick Foles should be able to benefit, especially considering that just one week after facing the defense that blitzes the most in the NFL, he’s facing the defense that blitzes the least.
That’s probably due to having two of the best line rushers in the NFL. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley lead the Lions defensive line. Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy are the leading linebackers for Detroit. In the secondary, look for Chris Houston and Glover Quin.
Rushing yards may be at a premium for McCoy and the Eagles. They faced the second-best rush defense in Arizona a week ago. Detroit has the third-best rush defense.
With an offense powered by Johnson, the Lions turn to tight end Brandon Pettigrew before No. 2 receiver Kris Durham.
The Eagles made it a point to get the tight ends involved against the Cardinals, with Zach Ertz scoring two touchdowns and Brent Celek getting another.
Two interesting storylines follow this game for the Eagles. With the Lions holding in 26th in pass defense, it could be a big day for Foles. Foles is just two touchdowns away from breaking Peyton Manning’s record of 20 touchdowns without an interception.
Additionally, the Eagles been outscored in the fourth quarter of their last four games, 33-0. Closing out this game will be important.
In some cases, this is expected to be an offensive shootout, and it very well could be. But for the Eagles, this will be about shutting down a powerful offense and sustaining their own. That will be the difference-maker: if the Eagles can silence Stafford and the Lions.
Game Notes
- The Eagles lead the all-time series against the Detroit Lions, 16-13-2.
- Last Meeting: Detroit 26, Eagles 23 (OT)
- The Eagles have won six of their last seven games against Detroit. They have also won four of the last five meetings against the Lions at home.
- The Eagles are tied for sixth in red zone efficiency on defense. They will face an offense that ranks fourth in red zone efficiency in Detroit.
- The Lions average 27.2 points per game, fourth in the NFL. The Eagles are currently on an eight-game streak of allowing 21 points or less to opponents, the longest current streak in the NFL.
Injury Report
Philadelphia Eagles
Out
- LB Najee Goode (hamstring)
- S Earl Wolff (knee)
Probable
- DT Bennie Logan (neck)
- DE Damion Square (back)
- WR Jeff Maehl (concussion)
- TE Zach Ertz (shoulder)
Unknown
- DE Clifton Geathers (undisclosed injury)
Detroit Lions
Doubtful
- CB Darius Slay (knee)
Questionable
- RB Reggie Bush (calf)
- CB Chris Houston (foot)
Probable
- WR Calvin Johnson (knee)
- S Louis Delmas (knee)
- DE Israel Idonije (knee)
Where to Watch
TV: FOX (Broadcasters: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Erin Andrews)
Radio: 94 WIP (Broadcasters: Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
National Radio: Compass Media (Broadcasters: Chris Carrino and Brian Baldinger)
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
