Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton looks to score a touchdown on a two-yard short pass against the Chicago Bears on September 19, 2016. Burton who had five catches and a touchdown in the Eagles' Week 2 win over Chicago will be in the spotlight on Sunday's matchup against the Lions. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit. TV -- FOX, Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager
SERIES HISTORY: 33rd regular-season meeting. Eagles lead the series, 16-14-2. The Lions beat the Eagles last Thanksgiving, 45-14, but have lost seven of nine in the series overall. The most historic meeting between the teams was in 1995, when the Eagles beat the Lions in the playoffs, 58-37. The Lions threw six interceptions in the game, including two that were returned for touchdowns.
GAMEDATE: 10/9/16
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz has been one of the best storylines through the first four weeks of the NFL season, throwing five touchdown passes without an interception in the Eagles' 3-0 start. But the Lions are determined to make Wentz win or lose the game this week. Philadelphia has averaged 32 rushing plays in its first three games, and the Lions want to make the Eagles a one-dimensional offense. If the Lions can do that, perhaps they can get their so-so pass rush going.
The Lions have struggled to run the ball since Ameer Abdullah's injury. They need to protect QB Matthew Stafford against coach Jim Schwartz' aggressive defense, and that starts with nullifying LB Fletcher Cox in the middle. If that happens, then they can turn the game over to WR Marvin Jones downfield.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Lions DE Devin Taylor vs. Eagles RT Lane Johnson. The Lions have four sacks over the last two weeks, but they haven't been able to generate any real pass rush with Ziggy Ansah (ankle) sidelined. Taylor, in particular, has been quiet since his 1.5-sack game against the Tennessee Titans. This week, he has a tough test against Johnson, who's expected to play while he awaits a decision on the appeal of his 10-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs.
--Eagles CB Leodis McKelvin vs. Lions WR Marvin Jones. Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes as the Lions had their way with the Eagles last Thanksgiving, but he has a much taller task this year against a revamped secondary. Jones is second in the NFL with 482 yards receiving, and he's been the Lions' only real threat at receiver with Golden Tate struggling. McKelvin hasn't played since Week 1 because of a hamstring injury but is expected back on Sunday.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
Eagles TE Trey Burton -- The Eagles are expected to use a lot of three-tight end sets Sunday featuring Zach Ertz, who missed two games with a rib injury, Brent Celek and Burton. Burton, a former college wide receiver and quarterback, had five catches and a touchdown in the Eagles' Week 2 win over Chicago. Ertz is a proven weapon, but if the Lions are caught in a base defense they will have trouble covering these talented catchers.
FAST FACTS:
Eagles DE Brandon Graham aims for a fourth consecutive game with a sack.
Philadelphia DE Vinny Curry had two sacks in the teams' last meeting.
Lions QB Matthew Stafford passed for 337 yards, five TDs and a 137.8 rating in the last meeting. He recorded a 100-plus rating in three of his past four home games.
Detroit RB Theo Riddick had five receptions for 62 yards and one TD in the last meeting.
PREDICTION: Kid Carson is tough to bet against, for those foolish enough to bet.
OUR PICK: Eagles, 21-14
--Frank Cooney.
