How The Lions Can Beat The Eagles
The Lions have all the talent they need to compete with any team in this league.
Calvin Johnson is a once-in-a-generation talent that has once again been setting the league on fire this year. Johnson has seven 100-yard games (three of those over 150 yards, one of those over 300), with a touchdown reception in eight games (four of those being multi-touchdown affairs). He’s been held under 50 yards just two times this season. The guy is as an absolute nightmare of a matchup, and even though the Eagles secondary has been better as of late, they’re going to have problems containing him.
Detroit has been able to compliment Johnson this year with a solid running back situation featuring the likes of Reggie Bush and former Eagles practice squad member Joique Bell. Bush is an electric home-run threat that can put the Lions on another level. He’s dealt with nagging knee and calf injuries all season, but he remains a great threat. Bell has been a great change up for Bush, and figures to get a decent amount of looks himself.
Detroit also has a very sturdy offensive line, that has given up only 15 sacks this year. If the Lions can give Matt Stafford time, its only going to make Johnson and Bush even more potent.
If the Lions’ offense is clicking, they can keep up with the Eagles in a shootout.
Why The Eagles Will Win
Detroit, much like a typical NFL dome team, plays their worst on the road.
The good news for the Eagles is that the Detroit offense is run through Matt Stafford, and Stafford can be one of the league’s biggest turnover machines at times. He’s a gunslinger, and he puts a lot of passes up for grabs. The former top draft pick has only made it through two games without throwing an interception. He’s thrown six in the last two weeks alone. The much-improved Eagles defense is going to their opportunities to take the ball away.
Reggie Bush has also struggled with ball security, losing three fumbles this year including one in each of the last two games.
The Eagles’ offense has been finding a number of different ways to put up points on opponents. Last week against the Cardinals, tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz combined for three touchdown receptions. The week before that LeSean McCoy rushed for two scores against the Redskins. The week before that against Green Bay, it was Riley Cooper and DeSean Jackson combining for three touchdown receptions. And the week before that, Nick Foles made his place in NFL history with seven touchdowns against Oakland.
Chip Kelly has a deep list of weapons to choose from, and his players continue to execute at a high level, and they’ve done it against much better defenses than the Detroit Lions.
Final Thoughts
Lincoln Financial Field is no longer a house of horrors for the Eagles.
With the 10-game losing streak now a distant memory, and a two-game winning streak taking its place, the home field advantage is finally back on the Eagles’ side.
Detroit is a potentially scary team, but they’re also wildly inconsistent and unpredictable week to week. Sometimes, their offense will click and they’ll look practically unstoppable. Other days, they’ll come out completely flat and play some ugly, undisciplined games complete with bad turnovers and dumb penalties.
Offensively and defensively, the Eagles are in such a good groove right now that I think the Lions could bring one of their better efforts and still have trouble beating them.
Pick: Philadelphia 24, Detroit 20
With Week 17′s match against the Dallas Cowboys shaping up to be a showdown for the division, Denny Basens and Jeff Kolsky are planning to get a group together to watch the game at XFINITY Live, and we would like to extend invitations to any and all readers of GCobb.com to come out and join us. We sincerely appreciate all who read, comment, and make this website great, and we’d love the opportunity to meet some of the readers and experience a great game together.
Eagles 31
Lions 20
Reggie Bush isn’t 100 percent with a calf injury which has kept him out of practice the whole week, along with starting CB Chris Houston with a foot injury.. Both are likely to play, but are not 100%. Coming into a hostile environment on the road, with chilly weather I expect Stafford to struggle. This Eagles defense is really talented at taking the ball away. Look for them to get a pic or two early, along with a fumble recovery. I also expect Djax to have a good game special teams wise, and put up 120 yards receiving. 8-5 record with a CHI upset over Dallas this Monday, I can see us wrapping this division up in a week or 2 before we even play Dallas. ROMO will implode this month. I just pray Aaron Rodgers comes back in time to play Dallas in a week. That would be PERFECT
I expect a wild shoot out with Eagles winning 34-31
Turnovers & Special Teams will be huge..
Lions are one of the most penalized Teams in the NFL and if the Eagles can get on them and get a solid, consistent pass rush on the interior then Stafford will throw a couple of Picks..
The Lions are not as scary on the Road or on natural grass in the outside elenents.. QB Stafford and Arab Bush have not fared well in colder Temps..
A big matchup advantage is a Eagles WR versus the shaky CB’s of Detroit as well their TE’s Pkay against the physical but sometimes overly agressive Lion’s
Safeties.. A quick,clean Start will keep the crowd pumped and the Eagles can really use a big support & noise from their 12th man Sunday
Should be a great game .. Go Eagles..
The weather looks to be a factor for the Detroit offense. There is a big difference in their production I the Dome and out of it, especially out of it in bad and cold weather.
I look for Kelly to give us a heavy dose of Shadey and the running game to 33 plot the huge running lanes that the wide-9 will be leaving. Besides the usual want, need, and desire to win this game, I want to see us really gash that wide-9 scheme and send Washburn back to Detroit like a loser.
GO BIRDS!!!!
it’s the sport of kings better than diamond rings F O O T B A L L !
Are you ready for some football?!!
Go Eagles!
The birds have been turnover free and creating turnovers, HOW? I have no idea but lets hope it continues.
Shady run a couple in today.
Let’s Go Eagles!!!
Detroit is an undisciplined team (personality of their head coach) with a mistake prone QB.
The team is good for 2 terrible penalties at inopportune times (for them) and Stafford will toss 2 picks.
If the Birds capitalize on those Det mistakes (and I think they will) they should win.
BTW – I keep reading posters on here saying “the improved oline” of the Eagles. Really? Where does that come from? Sack % been mostly the same all year. QB runs are down a bit, but I mean, no kidding. Shady’s production has been pretty consistent. Not sure where this idea that the Oline is suddenly so much better comes from.
BTW – light snowfall (which I believe is forecast) with low wind usually = high scoring game..
Unlike rain, snow does not affect the ability to throw or catch (ball stays dry), but the lack of traction is a huge advantage for the offensive players making their breaks.
Snow = over.
Snowing in Philly, wonder what impact it will have on these two teams. I would be shocked if we held Calvin Johnson to under 100 yards. Its not reasonable to think the Eagles will not lose a game the rest of the season (rmrb how bad this team was last year)…But if we can pull out a win today that would be huge considering who we have left to play. Lets hope we get the win today in another tough game, defense keeps the good play going, and our young QB breaks another NFL record
Heavy snowfall in Philly right now and the snow is beginning to blanket the field.
This weather can change the game plan. IMO advantage Eagles.
People think snow helps the run game.
Snow helps the passing game.
Of course the snow-aided passing advantage is muted with grass surfaces, and accentuated on artificial surfaces.
There are heating coils under the Lincs turf. Doesn’t appear they have turned them on as snow continues to stick to the field.
ESPN is reporting that Reggie Bush slipped and fell during warm ups. He went inside to get checked out. Questionable if he will play now.
I can barely see the players
A heated field and the Eagles don’t turn on the coils. Someone dropped the ball.
Screens and run the ball chip!
This is a F^#@ING JOKE!!!!!
Gonna lose this game because of the f^#@ing weather!! GTFO!!!!
Detroit understands to throw short passes
Its not rocjket science stop having Foles throw the ball 20 yards down field.
It’s fun to watch for five minutes then you realize that the results are completely skewed by the weather… Win or lose its a crap shoot
Both teams playing in same shit no excuses.
Can Chip Kelly adjust his play-calling for the conditions
So far the answer is no which is not a good sign
Lions score here to go 14-15-16 to Zip
Game Over
Good stop by the Eagles, need a drive here to end the half, even if they get no points, get a few first downs, a rhythm, and start fresh for 2nd half, looks like snow is tapering off..
Nice drive so far, quicker pace and McCoy/Polk making one cut and running downhill.. A TD Score here will be huge..
Let’s go Eagles
Terrible decision to go for 4th & 5 right there
Get 3 Pts, see if you can cut the lead to 8-3 and then get the Ball to Startvthe 2nd half only a TD out..
Chances are you will need a FG or extra-point in this game and you may as well try a Chip-shot while there is a 2nd half to play
This potential 3pts could come back to haunt them..
The snow is beginning to subside, hopefully the Eagles can get something going in the 3rd.
Which is why you take the FG before the half..
A 25 Yarder will be your best chance most likely to get 3pts on the board,
A huge mistake by HC Kelly that may come back to haunt them
Come the end of the game.. It’s it was a 35-40 Yarder attempt, then I see going for it on 4th Down
It hit Cooper right in the face mask. Any ball that hits your face you have to catch it.
Paul impossible to kick … Shitty game can’t even kick a PAT… Not a horrible decision
These guys are Professionals, a 20-25 Yard FG is make able
Kickers are not the problem, snow is too deep for the holders to spot the ball!!
Terrible call on 3rd on 4.. They deserve to lose this game
Game and potentially the Season playoff hopes are over
Until the Cowboys lose to the Bears tomorrow night.
And now even a more stupid decision by the Lions Coach Schwartz,
Kick the extra point to go up 15-0, now you just gave the Eagles a chance and not have to go for 2 pt conversion
You cannot place the ball paulman, that’s why nobody is going to kick field goals or extra points. They need to just abandon the run game all together.
I seem to recall the Patriots Adam Vinitari kick a few FG’s
In worse conditions than this to make FG’s
They allowed them to clear the spot, your not allowed to do that anymore.
They are clearing field right now,
Why couldn’t the Eagles do this before the first half ended?
Paul it’s the snap and hold
I wouldn’t say abandon it but I agree to what your saying Biglion. There is man coverage everywhere right now cause they are only playing the run in this weather(btw Lions are one of the best in the league against run)…
Use short passes with Djax/Shady as “runs”, if a defended slips its a huge play.
Yes pheags I agree.
Your right Pheags I guess we shouldn’t abandon the run game all together. LOL
Your a freakin genius Pheags LOL
Foles had McCoy for the 2Pt Pkay but slipped out and short armed it..
Urgh..
A beautiful throw by Foles there, D-Jax needs to leap for that ball and not wait on it like that..
Great Run by McCoy
Eagles getting some big breaks and taking advantage
Terrible personal foul/late hit on DT Fairley to keep drive alivthrn a defensive hold by DT Suh on a pass play…
Maybe Arizona’s HC Arians was right.., but we’ll take it
What a Game,,, go Eagles,, maybe a high squib kick here
on the kickoff..
This might be the best game, I’ve seen an Eagles offensive line has played in 10 years! WOW!!!! If anybody has ever played football, knows how hard it is to play, & get leverage in the snow! Unreal!
What a F’n 4th Quarter.. What a Crazy Game Football can be sometimes,
It’s like a Drug…
This is the best eagles football I’ve seen since the 4 year NFC run stretch. This team is solidified for the next 5 years!!! Great play and leadership from “General Foles and the crew”!!!!!!!!!
This was incredible..BEST win of the season by far. Think about it guys, we beat the Lions (NFC opponent, tough win at Home which is always important psychologically for these players)
And then GB won, which now means Rodgers will play against the cowboys..If Lions won/Packers loss then Rogers is likely sitting for that game
Huge win and one of the best I’ve seen in years
A GREAT comeback win under adverse conditions. Keep in mind the defense only gave up 1 touchdown, our offense scored five TD’s, could’ve been six. This team is the real deal!
It was nice to see them step on the pedal in the 4th. Shady was a beast today and a Chris Polk sighting, Celek needs to be kicked in the ass for not scoring that last TD, just saying.