Losing two straight home games to Miami and Tampa Bay obviously wasn't what the Eagles had in mind, especially after that overtime road victory against Dallas. After the Cowboys' game, it looked like the Eagles were on the path toward turning the season around and climbing back into the NFC East. Now, things are a little bit more in question.
There are plenty of corrections that need to be made after the 45-17 loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday and plenty of questions for the team to answer. The Eagles don't have much time to right the ship. After a shortened week of work, the Eagles will board the team flight to Detroit and look to get back on track in front of a national holiday audience on Thanksgiving.
Detroit won't go down without a fight. The Lions started the year 1-7, fired their general manager and team president, but have since won two straight games against the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders. Their offense, with Matthew Stafford pulling the reins and Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate out wide, presents plenty of challenges for the Eagles to contend with.
Of course, the last time these two teams met back in 2013, the Snow Bowl conditions limited what Detroit could do from a passing standpoint. This time around, the roof at Ford Field will guarantee that no snow will be falling on the field in Detroit.
It's the Eagles and Lions as the first course on Bird Day. Here's the preview …
- Alex Smith
The Lions visited the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in a battle of teams looking to make a playoff push in December ...
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy is relieved to end the game with a win after a hard-fought cold game.
Eagles' WR Jason Avant high-fives the fans who decided to stay for the entire game after the big win.
Eagles' LBs Connor Barwin (98) and DeMeco Ryans (59) talk with Lions' WR Dorin Dickerson after the game.
Eagles' LB DeMeco Ryans shakes hands with Lions' WR Dorin Dickerson.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles and Lions' QB Matthew Stafford shake hands after the game.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce reads the defense before snapping the football.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper congratulates RB Chris Polk after the touchdown.
Eagles' RB Chris Polk rushes for a 38-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Eagles' RB Chris Polk breaks free up the middle and finds the endzone for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Lions' QB Matthew Stafford fumbles the football and the Eagles recover.
Lions' QB Matthew Stafford loses the football after a bad snap and tries to recover.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown tries to stay on his feet and avoid being tackled by Lions' CB Bill Bentley.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown gets tackled by Lions' safety Glover Quin.
Eagles' guard Evan Mathis (69) lifts WR Riley Cooper (14) after a successful two-point conversion.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper makes the catch in the back of the endzone for a two-point conversion.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy (25) is congratulated by teammates WR Jason Avant (81) and center Jason Kelce (62).
Eagles' QB Nick Foles drops back to throw a pass in the second half.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy breaks free and scores a touchdown to extend the Eagles' lead.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy crosses the endzone for one of his two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Eagles' fans in the stands support their team even in the blistering cold weather.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown finds room to run against the Lions' defense.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy avoids Lions' defenders and gains yardage.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy hurdles Lions' safety Louis Delmas.
Eagles' LB Connor Barwin (98) and safety Nate Allen (29) make a tackle.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles drops back to deliver a pass while TE Brent Celek tries to get open.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper and guard Evan Mathis celebrate after a play.
Eagles' tackle Lane Johnson (65) and RB Bryce Brown (34) celebrate after a first down.
Eagles' RB Bryce Brown crosses the line of scrommage and rushes for a gain.
Eagles' DT Bennie Logan blocks the PAT from Lions' kicker David Akers.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy breaks free from Lions' defenders and tries to score a touchdown.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper makes a 44-yard catch in the second half.
Eagles' WRs Riley Cooper (14) and DeSean Jackson (10) celebrate Cooper's 44-yard catch.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper comes down with the football and makes a big catch.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles launches a pass downfield.
The Eagles huddle before a play on offense.
Eagles' LB Trent Cole tries to tip a pass from Lions' QB Matthew Stafford.
Eagles' CB Cary Williams tries to force an incomplete pass.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy gets tackled after one of his rushing attempts.
Eagles' DTs Bennie Logan (96) and Damion Square (77) on the sidelines.
Eagles' TE Brent Celek stands on the sidelines next to Asst. Coach Jerry Azzinaro.
An Eagles' fan braves the weather and supports the team.
Eagles' LB Connor Barwin lines up on defense and waits for the snap.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson catches the ball as Lions' CB Chris Houston tries to tackle him.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy rushes up the middle for a gain.
Eagles' CB Cary Williams makes a tackle.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles waits for the snap behind his offensive line.
Eagles' RB Chris Polk escapes a tackle from Lions' LB Stephen Tulloch.
Lions' QB Matthew Stafford throws a pass against the Eagles' defense.
Former Eagles Ray Barnett and Calvin Williams were honored at halftime.
Eagles' cheerleaders on the sidelines in the wintery conditions.
Eagles fans in the stands try not to freeze at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles' RB Chris Polk gets tackled by Lions' safety Glover Quin.
Eagles' RB Chris Polk tries to find room to run against the Lions' defense.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox lines up on defense and waits for the snap.
Eagles' LB Mychal Kendricks tackles Lions' RB Joique Bell.
Eagles' cheerleaders battle the cold and snowy conditions.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws a pass through the snow.
Eagles' fans at Lincoln Financial Field watch the game in the cold.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox rushes the backfield.
Referees in the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions game measure for a first down.
Eagles' offensive linemen Lane Johnson (65) and Todd Herremans (79) protect QB Nick Foles (9).
Eagles' LB DeMeco Ryans makes a tackle on Lions' RB Joique Bell.
After a fumble by the Lions, the Eagles recover and possess the football.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles hands the ball off to RB LeSean McCoy.
Eagles' CB Brandon Boykin covers Lions WR Dorin Dickerson.
Eagles' LB Mychal Kendricks tackles Lions' RB Joique Bell.
Eagles' defenders tackle Lions' RB Joique Bell.
Eagles' LB Connor Barwin reaches his arm to tackle Lions' RB Joique Bell.
Eagles' RB LeSean McCoy gets tackled by Lions rookie DE Ezekiel Ansah.
Eagles' LB Casey Matthews makes a block on special teams.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles hands the ball off to RB LeSean McCoy.
The Philadelphia Eagles' captains are punter Donnie Jones (8), TE Brent Celek (87) and Cary Williams (26).
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws passes in the snow before game time.
The Philadelphia Eagles' cheerleaders on the field before the game.
The Eagles head on the cold and snowy field before the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Detroit Lions in week 14.
The Eagles' field crew clears snow off the field so that the game can be played.
Eagles' fans in the stands before the game in the freezing conditions.
Eagles' center Jason Kelce waits for the week 14 game to start as the snow falls in Philadelphia.
Eagles' DE Fletcher Cox in the freezing cold before the game.
Eagles' WR Damaris Johnson on the sidelines before the game.
Eagles' fans on the field before the game as the snow falls at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles' LS Jon Dorenbos interacts with the fans on the field before the week 14 game against the Lions.
Philadelphia Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws passes in the snow before Sunday's home game against the Detroit Lions.
Eagles' TEs Brent Celek (87) and James Casey (85) talk with NFL analyst Brian Baldinger.
Eagles' WR Riley Cooper catches passes in the cold and snowy conditions before the week 14 game.
Eagles' QB Michael Vick delivers a pass in the snow before week 14's matchup against the Lions.
Eagles' TEs James Casey (left) and Zach Ertz (right) laugh on the field as the snow is falling down at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Eagles' CB Brandon Boykin returns an interception in practice before the game.
Eagles' fans in the stands feel the cold and snowy conditions that have transpired at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Eagles' WR Brad Smith practices returning kicks in the weather conditions.
Eagles' kicker Alex Henery practices kicking field goals in the snowy conditions.
Eagles' QB Nick Foles throws a pass in the cold weather.
Eagles' Head Coach Chip Kelly watches his team practice on the sidelines in the blistering conditions.
Eagles' LS Jon Dorenbos practices snapping the football in the snow.
Eagles' fans await the week 14 game against the Lions in the cold and snowy conditions.
Eagles' WRs DeSean Jackson (left) and Damaris Johnson (right) practice on the field before the week 14 game against the Lions.
Eagles' Asst. Coach Jerry Azzinaro in the cold, snowy weather before Sunday's game.
Eagles' WR DeSean Jackson catching passes on the field before the game.
Eagles' WR Damaris Johnson catching passes in the snow before the week 14 matchup versus the Detroit Lions.
Last Time They Met
Eagles 34, Lions 20
December 8, 2013 - Lincoln Financial Field
The last time these two teams met, they did so in some of the strangest conditions ever seen in a football game played in Philadelphia. Weather reports called for light snow in the late afternoon, but a few hours before the 1 PM kickoff, nearly eight inches of thick powder were dumped upon the city. With heavy snow falling throughout the first half, the game was played on a field that was blanketed with a thick white coating.
As a result of the weather, both teams relied heavily upon the ground game, with the Lions rushing on 33 of their 58 plays from scrimmage and the Eagles doing so on 46 of their 68 plays. After a scoreless first quarter, Philadelphia fell behind by a touchdown with 10 minutes left in the first half after Nick Foles threw his first of only two interceptions all year at the Eagles' 20, setting up a short field. In the first half, the team relied heavily upon running back LeSean McCoy, handing off to him 13 times for 51 yards. In the third quarter, the Eagles gave up a 58-yard punt return for touchdown by Jeremy Ross to fall behind 14-0. But after that point, McCoy and the Eagles' offense came alive.
In the second half, McCoy rushed 16 times for a remarkable 166 yards and two touchdowns, setting a franchise record for rushing yards in a game with 217. Philadelphia scored a touchdown on five straight drives before sitting on the ball on its final possession to ice the game.
Philadelphia held running backs Joique Bell and Theo Riddick to 81 yards on 27 combined carries and limited Matt Stafford to 151 yards passing on 10-of-25 passing.
Unlike Thursday's game, in which the Eagles will go on the road looking to snap a two-game losing streak, Philadelphia's last meeting with the Lions marked the final victory of a five-game win streak. In Chip Kelly's first year as head coach, the Eagles began the year 3-5 before going 7-1 down the stretch to finish 10-6 and win the NFC East crown.
- Max Rappaport
When The Eagles Have The Ball
The Lions opened their season with seven losses in eight games, and their defense during that stretch was a big reason for their struggles. But in their last two games, they've gone from allowing 30.6 points per game over the first half of the season to surrendering just 29 combined in wins over the Packers and Raiders. If their solid play on the defensive side of the balls continues into Thanksgiving Day, the Eagles' offense will have its work cut out for it.
Over their past two games, the Lions have allowed just 97 total rushing yards on 39 attempts (2.5 yards per carry). Through the air, they gave up 586 yards in Weeks 10 and 11, but that came on 96 combined attempts. Against the Buccaneers on Sunday, the Eagles' defense was more problematic than the team's offense, as the team gave up nearly 300 rushing yards and five passing touchdowns en route to a 45-17 loss. Philadelphia's offense only found the end zone twice, but it was able to gain a respectable 247 yards through the air and 136 on the ground.
Turnovers proved critical in that game, as Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions, two while the Eagles were in field goal range and another in their own red zone that was returned for a touchdown. The Lions, though, rank 21st in the league in takeaways, with 11 on the year. And in their last three games, they haven't forced a single turnover.
It remains to be seen who will start for the Eagles at quarterback this week. Sam Bradford missed Sunday's game with a concussion and left shoulder injury, but he was a limited participant in practice on Monday. If he's unable to go, Sanchez will make his second start of the season.
The Eagles could also be without running back Ryan Mathews, who missed Sunday's game with a concussion and groin injury and has yet to clear concussion protocol. Left tackle Jason Peters was a limited participant Monday because of his lingering back issue. He played on Sunday but came out of the game late, once the outcome was all but decided.
In the absence of Mathews, DeMarco Murray carried 13 times for 64 yards, Kenjon Barner rushed seven times for 37 yards, and Darren Sproles ran six times for 21 yards to go along with three catches for 38 yards. If Sanchez starts, he'll look to control the ball better than he has so far this season. On 64 pass attempts in two appearances, he's thrown four interceptions to two touchdowns with a 62.5 percent completion percentage.
After catching just seven passes for 71 yards through the Eagles' first eight games this season, Brent Celek has hauled in 11 balls for 213 yards in Philadelphia's last two games. With fellow tight end Zach Ertz being knocked out of Sunday's game with a concussion, Celek may again play a big role against the Lions.
- Max Rappaport
When The Lions Have The Ball
After a 28-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, one in which quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times and hit six more, the Lions reshuffled their offensive coaching staff which included the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Since quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter has taken the reins of the offensive coordinator position, the Lions have stressed the need to better protect the former No. 1 overall pick.
Two weeks ago, Stafford wasn't sacked once as the Lions stunned the Packers in Green Bay for the first time in 24 years. Last Sunday, however, Stafford went down four times in the win over the Raiders.
One of the strongest-armed quarterbacks in the league, Stafford has thrown for 2,607 yards this season, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns. However, he's also recorded 12 interceptions. Those turnovers are part of the reason why the Lions have the worst turnover differential in the league (-10).
To Stafford's credit, he has not had a rushing game to lean on. The Lions are dead last in the NFL in average yards on the ground per game. There have been 67 100-yard rushing performances this season and zero of them belong to a Detroit player. This past Sunday against the Raiders, the Lions cracked the 100-yard plateau as a TEAM for just the second time all season.
Even though the run game has struggled, the backs are potent from an all-around standpoint. Rookie Ameer Abdullah leads the NFL in both kickoff return yards and average. The Lions' starting field position is fifth best in the entire league. Theo Riddick leads the NFL in receptions by a running back with 50 for 445 yards. Against Oakland, Riddick caught five passes for 72 yards.
Wait, what about Megatron?
After the Eagles' struggles with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson of Tampa Bay last week, Detroit rolls out Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Johnson ranks 10th in the NFL with 828 yards receiving and is one of the top pass catchers on third down with 18 this season. In his ninth NFL season, the 6-5, 237-pound Johnson is still a matchup nightmare. Tate is dangerous because he'll be moved all around the formation and even get the ball in the run game. He has 52 catches for 502 yards and a touchdown on the season.
After allowing 45 points to Tampa Bay last week, here's some good news for the Eagles. In the four games since Detroit scored 37 points in its first win of the year over the Bears, the Lions have a total of 65 points and no more than 19 in a single contest.
- Chris McPherson
Key Matchups
1. Eagles CBs Nolan Carroll and Byron Maxwell vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson is on pace for his sixth straight 1,000-yard season as he leads the Lions with 59 receptions for 828 yards and three touchdowns. In fact, Johnson is averaging the same exact amount of yards per game (82.8) that he did a year ago.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson will typically line up on the left side of the formation (54 percent of the time) which would be across from Nolan Carroll. The Lions will, however, move Johnson around including in the slot. Since the Lions made the change at offensive coordinator, Johnson has been targeted at least nine times in each of the past three games.
Johnson has one 10-catch game (Week 2) and one 100-yard receiving performance (October 18 vs. Chicago) on his resume in 2015.
2. The Detroit Natives (Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham) vs. Lions OTs Riley Reiff and Michael Ola
The Eagles were unable to generate pressure last week on rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, who was sacked once as he threw five touchdown passes and finished with a passer rating of 131.6.
The Lions' pass protection has been porous throughout the season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sacked 26 times, the fourth most in the NFC. In the last four contests, Stafford has hit the deck seven times, six times, none and four times, respectively.
3. T Jason Peters vs. DE Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah
The NFC's sack leader is Ezekiel Ansah, who was selected one pick after Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson in the 2013 NFL Draft.
The 6-6, 279-pound Ansah has been a consistent disruptor since his arrival in the Motor City. He had eight sacks as a rookie, followed that up with 7.5 last season and has eight so far this year.
Ansah is one of the players on the rise, while the Eagles' All-Pro left tackle is one of the all-time greats. However, Peters has battled a back injury that sidelined him for two games and forced him to exit last Sunday's loss early. Peters has been limited in training this week, so his availability is not certain at this point.
4. Eagles Special Teams vs. KR Ameer Abdullah
The last time these two teams met was the Snow Bowl in 2013 and the Lions scored two of their touchdowns on special teams plays - a punt return and a kickoff return by Jeremy Ross.
Snow won't impact this game, but a return specialist could.
Ameer Abdullah, the team's second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, is not only a factor in the rushing game, but leads the NFL in kickoff return yardage and average. His 104-yard return two weeks ago against the Packers helped set up a touchdown and lead the Lions to a historic win at Lambeau Field, the team's first there in 24 years. Thanks to Abdullah, the Lions have the fifth best starting field position in the league after a kickoff.
The Eagles rank 10th in the league in kickoff return coverage allowing 22.9 yards per return.
- Chris McPherson
*
*
Trends To Watch
Gobble, Eagles, Gobble
The Eagles are 6-0 all time when playing on Thanksgiving Day. The most recent occasion came last season, when the Eagles ran wild against Dallas, beating the Cowboys 33-10 at AT&T Stadium.
Caging The Run Game
The Eagles' rushing defense has struggled over the past four games, allowing an average of 180 rushing yards per game during that span. They'll look to get back on track this week against the worst rushing team in the NFL, as Detroit averages just 71.1 yards per game on the ground.
Detroit Rock City
Dating back to 2004, the Eagles are 4-1 in their last five matchups with Detroit, averaging 35.6 points per game. The Eagles scored 56 points against Detroit in 2007 in a rout at Lincoln Financial Field.
- Alex Smith
