The Eagles starters played one total series the entire preseason and it showed early on as the team got off to a slow start against Detroit.
After falling behind 7-0, Philadelphia scored 21 straight points, including 12 in 69 seconds, to shock and awe Detroit at home.
Lions star running back D’Andre Swift narrowly missed rushing for 100-yards in the first half to keep Detroit close.
A.J. Brown exploded for almost 130-yards in the first half, including a 54-yard run and catch that put his entire package on display.
With the Birds comfortably ahead, here are seven takeaways from the first half.
A.J. Brown is a monster
We expected Brown to be an impact player, but his six catches for 128-yards are a precursor to what can be for this Eagles’ passing game.
A.J. Brown has 128 rec yds in the first half against the Lions.
Only Dallas Goedert has more rec yds (135) in an entire game for the #Eagles with Jalen Hurts as the starter.@Eagles @1kalwaysopen_ @JalenHurts
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 11, 2022
Jalen Hurts has been steady
Hurts hasn’t been statistically dominant, but he’s taking what the Lions give him.
Philadelphia’s third-year quarterback went 11-23 for 189-yards in the first half, with the bulk of his work going to A.J. Brown.
Hurts also had 67-yards rushing and a touchdown,
Lions are much improved
The Lions have improved on defense and are making Philadelphia work for everything. Hard knocks darling Malcolm Rodriguez had three total tackles in the first half.
D'Andre Swift gashed the Eagles
The Philadelphia native displayed his star power, rushing eight times for 97-yards and a touchdown.
Jared Goff costing Detroit
The Lions have been engaged, and the game would be closer if not for Goff, who went 7 of 15 passing for 53 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Miles Sanders active
Sanders has been running hard all afternoon and scored his first rushing touchdown since 2020.
Sanders averaged 6.8 yards per carry in the first half.
Random Notes
DeVonta Smith had no catches on two targets in the first half, as Jalen Hurts often focused on A.J. Brown.
Dallas Goedert had two catches for 38-yards and looked supremely athletic.
