Heading into Philly after a thrilling win at home over a Los Angeles Chargers team that many NFL pundits predicted would win the AFC West, the unbeaten Detroit Lions (1-0-1) look to keep that fire going.
The Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) host the Lions, still recovering from a heartbreaking loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019
Start time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
Series History: Eagles lead series (16-15-2)
TV Info: FOX
Game Preview
Many predicted that the Lions would finish their 2019 NFL campaign in the basement of the NFC North. Obviously, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his crew did not get the memo.
Despite a rocky start in their season opener (a tie against the Arizona Cardinals), the Lions remain only one of two teams still undefeated in the NFC North.
“I’m ready. That’s what I’ve dreamed about. That’s why I’m here, to help this team win.” – Eagles rookie WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside on his need to step up for the depleted Eagles WR corps in Sunday’s contest against the Lions.
If this Eagles team was a boxer, they would look much like their hometown hero, Rocky Balboa, after his first fight with Apollo Creed. This is a team decimated by injuries far too early in a season … so much so that they lightened their practice schedule for the lead-up to Sunday’s contest against the Lions. This included a walkthrough on Wednesday as they feared that they might not have had enough players able to participate.
As of Thursday, the injured players list includes:
- RB Corey Clement (shoulder)
- TE Dallas Goedert (calf)
- WR Alshon Jeffery (calf)
- WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen)
- DT Tim Jernigan (foot)
- OT Jordan Mailata (back)
That’s a lot of players.
Carson Wentz is a great quarterback, but with these Eagles injuries, he’s in trouble.
The @Eagles just revealed @cj_wentz’s new helmet and padding for this Sunday’s game vs. the @Lions. @ForzaCorrado #CryEaglesCry pic.twitter.com/qPdjo7bW84
— Philly Docksider 🇺🇸🇮🇪🏴 (@gdocnova) September 20, 2019
Fodder for Thought
- Stafford’s fourth-quarter rally last week was the 28th in his career. That’s the NFL’s highest total since his rookie year in 2009.
- Kerryon Johnson is the first Lion since Barry Sanders to have 1,000 yards from scrimmage in their first 12 games.
- Wentz has 3,300 yards passing, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 111.1 rating in his last 12 home games as Philly’s quarterback.
- Zach Ertz has 20 games since 2014 with at least eight receptions since 2014, the most among active tight ends.
Prediction
The Eagles are far too beat up after only two weeks of football, particularly so for being only .500 on the season. Stafford is sitting pretty in the top ten of NFL quarterbacks in passing yards (630). He and the Lions’ receiving corps will torch Ronald Darby and this the Eagles’ 31st-ranked pass defense.
Lions wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola will have a busy afternoon this Sunday.
The only way that the Eagles win this game is if they grind it out on the ground and keep the pigskin out of Stafford’s hands. They won’t.
Final Score prediction: Lions 24, Eagles 18
