The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Detroit Lions this Sunday night in a significant matchup featuring two leaders of the NFC. The game is set to kick off at 8:20 PM EST and will be broadcast on NBC.
The Eagles, currently holding a 7-2 record, are slight favorites in this contest, with BetMGM placing them at 2.5 points ahead against the Lions, who enter with a 6-3 record. Historically, the Eagles have had the upper hand in their series against the Lions, leading with 18 wins to 16 losses and two ties. Their last encounter resulted in a narrow 38-35 victory for the Eagles on September 11, 2022, in Detroit.
When analyzing both teams, the Lions boast a potent offense that ranks sixth overall, with standout performances from their dual-threat running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Recently named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Gibbs racked up 172 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in a victory against Washington. In games where the Lions have secured wins this season, Gibbs has consistently contributed with at least 87 yards from scrimmage. However, in their three losses, he has averaged only 48 yards.
On the other hand, A.J. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Eagles, has expressed frustration over his limited involvement in the offense. In the Eagles” recent 10-7 win over Green Bay, Brown was targeted just three times, bringing his season total to 31 receptions for 408 yards, a significant drop from his 1,079 receiving yards last season. He voiced his concerns on social media after the game and reiterated his desire for more engagement in the offense during a press conference.
The Lions” offense, averaging 31.4 points per game, ranks highly in various categories, including a season-high 546 yards gained in their last outing. Quarterback Jared Goff leads the league with a 74.0% completion rate and has thrown for 20 touchdowns this season. In contrast, the Eagles” defense, under the guidance of coordinator Vic Fangio, has limited opponents to an average of 21.3 points per game.
In terms of injuries, the Lions have some concerns, including cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is in concussion protocol, and All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright did not practice recently due to injuries, while cornerback D.J. Reed was limited but closer to returning.
The Eagles also have injury issues, with center Cam Jurgens missing the last two games due to a knee injury and right tackle Lane Johnson dealing with an ankle issue. Johnson had to leave the game against the Packers but returned later.
Historically, Philadelphia has excelled in home games against Detroit, winning 13 of their last 14 matchups at home. Under head coach Nick Sirianni, they are undefeated against teams from the NFC North. Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads the league with a 16:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season.
As both teams prepare for this critical matchup, fans will be eager to see if the Eagles can maintain their home dominance or if the Lions can assert their offensive prowess on the road.
