The Philadelphia Eagles host the Detroit Lions on Sunday with a depleted roster that is just hoping to be healthy enough to face two straight NFC North foes in back to back weeks.
With the Birds almost a touchdown favorite over Detroit, here are the three biggest concerns that the Detroit Lions pose for the Eagles.
1. Lions aerial attack
Philadelphia has struggled to defend the deep ball and the Lions love to push the football downfield with Matthew Stafford. Stafford is off to a solid start this season, tossing five touchdown passes, with a 102.6 passer rating in the Lions’ first two games.
Lions wideouts Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones will be difficult covers for the Eagles secondary. Golladay is a big physical receiver in the mold of Alshon Jeffery and had 70 catches last year. Jones is a veteran, who has excelled as a vertical threat and has 14 touchdown catches the last two seasons. Danny Amendola could provide a problem in the slot as well.
2. Detroit’s big-play potential
In the first two games of the regular season, the Lions have 11 passing plays of 20-plus yards in their first two games, ranking third in the NFL. Philadelphia has given up the eighth-most passing plays of 20-plus yards or more so far this season, with eight. The Eagles are next to last in passing yards allowed (340 per game) and are tied for next to last in touchdown passes allowed (6).
3. Lions due for the breakout rushing game
The Detroit Lions are currently ranked 26th in the NFL in rush average (3.5) but could be looking at a breakout performance from Kerryon Johnson and rookie Ty Johnson. The Eagles are thin up front after the loss of Timmy Jernigan and the Lions have placed an emphasis on the running game, averaging 30 attempts per contest over the first two games. The Birds have been strong against the run over the first two ball games but could suffer a letdown with so much of the primary attention being focused on Matthew Stafford and the Lions passing game.
