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DETROIT -- The Philadelphia defense was riddled by Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford for five touchdown passes, three to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, and the Eagles were walloped 45-14 on Thanksgiving Day by the Lions at Ford Field. Stafford completed 27 of 38 passes for 337 yards for the Lions, who have also won three consecutive Thanksgiving Day games. They scored on six straight possessions in their highest-scoring game of the season.
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Johnson, who tied his career high with his three touchdown grabs, caught eight passes for 93 yards. He has an NFL-record 11 touchdown receptions on Thanksgiving and at least one for seven consecutive seasons. Running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate hauled in Stafford's other scoring passes.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez passed for 199 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles (4-7), who gave up 45 points for the second time in five days and lost their third straight.
Sanchez started in place of Sam Bradford, who was inactive for the second consecutive game because of a concussion and separated left shoulder.
Embattled head coach Chip Kelly said the second straight stinker wasn't an indication he has lost the locker room.
"I don't think they're trying to prove a point or anything," he said. "We got outcoached today."
Kelly cited the lack of a pass rush for the flurry of points they've allowed.
"We've got to do a better job of getting to the quarterback," he said. "We've allowed them too much time. We've got to create more pressure, and Calvin was obviously a very difficult matchup for us."
The Jets fell behind 24-7 at halftime.
Stafford connected with Riddick on an 8-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Riddick had a 23-yard catch earlier in the drive.
Philadelphia tied it during the opening minute of the second quarter. Sanchez found tight end Brent Celek for a 2-yard score on third-and-goal to cap an 80-yard drive.
The Lions took a 14-7 lead on their next possession with Stafford's 2-yard scoring pass to Tate, who snuck out of the backfield and juked a defender for a walk in touchdown.
Matt Prater's 48-yard field goal gave Detroit a 10-point lead before Stafford's 25-yard touchdown pass to Johnson came with 12 seconds left in the half. Johnson got past Jets rookie cornerback Eric Rowe, who replaced injured Nolan Carroll earlier in the half.
Johnson defeated Rowe in one-on-one coverage on a 4-yard, back-shoulder toss from Stafford to make it 31-7. After a Sanchez turnover, Johnson beat safety Malcolm Jenkins on a 3-yard catch for his third score.
What we learned about the Eagles:
1. Their season, for all intents and purposes, is over and Chip Kelly's offseason remodeling is largely to blame. Kelly made major changes throughout the roster, replacing his top quarterback, running back and wide receiver, along with reshaping his defense. The new mix never developed any chemistry and now the team has completely fallen apart. Kelly says he hasn't lost the locker room but giving up 45 points twice in five days speaks for itself. "That was disgusting," defensive tackle Bennie Logan said. "It's Thanksgiving Day and you get embarrassed like that."
2. Their pass defense has become a laughingstock and it could get even uglier. The Eagles gave up five touchdown passes to Tampa Bay rookie Jameis Winston at home on Sunday, then allowed five to Detroit's Matthew Stafford. Next up? Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots. Brady surely had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, knowing he could do a whole lot more carving next Sunday. To make matters even worse, starting cornerback Nolan Carroll broke his ankle on Thursday.
3. Without stalwart Jason Peters, they can't protect the quarterback. Peters suffered a left ankle injury on the Eagles' first drive and did not return. Without their starting left tackle, the reshuffled line couldn't keep the Lions out of the backfield. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was sacked six times, with defensive end Ziggy Ansah doing most of the damage. Their running game stalled once again. DeMarco Murray gained only 30 yards on 14 carries.
Etc.
--QB Mark Sanchez completed 19 of 27 passes and threw for two scores on Thursday but was under heavy pressure most of the day. He was sacked six times, including one where he was stripped of the ball and the Lions recovered. After an efficient scoring drive that began late in the first quarter, the Eagles couldn't get anything going again until garbage time. Sanchez started for the second straight week in place of Sam Bradford, who is still recovering from a concussion and separated left shoulder suffered in the Nov. 15 loss to Miami.
--LT Jason Peters left his team's Thanksgiving Day game during the first quarter with a left ankle injury and did not return. He was injured when his leg was rolled up on by Detroit Lions defensive end Jason Jones, who was blocked into him. Peters, who missed two games after the team's bye with a pinched nerve in his back, was able to walk off the field. Lane Johnson moved from right tackle to left tackle and Dennis Kelly took Johnson's spot. The Eagles allowed six sacks after Peters departed.
--CB Nolan Carroll was carted off with a broken right ankle during the second quarter. He was injured chasing Detroit running back Joique Bell on a 6-yard rush toward the sideline. He was replaced by rookie Eric Rowe, who had trouble sticking with Calvin Johnson and was matched against him for two of Johnson's three scores. Carroll has appeared in every game over the last three seasons, the last two with Philadelphia.
--WR Nelson Agholor was held to two catches for 15 yards and also lost his temper during the fourth quarter. Agholor drew a 15-yard penalty in the fourth quarter when he took off his helmet and argued with Detroit cornerback Crezdon Butler. Agholor came off the field after that play, tried to go back in a couple of plays later but was immediately called back by the coaching staff. Agholor has been a major disappointment, catching only 16 passes through 11 games.
