Lions at Eagles -- Week 6
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Eagles by 5
Forecast: Partly cloudy; temperature in high-60s; chance of rain 10 percent.
Records: Lions (Overall: 1-3; NFC North: 0-1); Eagles (Overall: 3-2; NFC East: 1-0).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 19, 2010: Eagles 35, Lions 32; Sept. 23, 2007: Eagles 56, Lions 21. Series record: Eagles lead 16-12-2.
What matters: The Eagles have a bye next week and there’s a big difference going into it 4-2 instead of 3-3. The Eagles under coach Andy Reid traditionally finish stronger than they start. A win Sunday against a good Lions team -- record notwithstanding -- would be a great springboard to the rest of the season. Plus it would keep them at least tied for first place in the NFC East instead of tied for last place.
Who matters: QB Michael Vick has hurt the Eagles with turnovers and although they've managed to win three games, they know they can't continue to survive if Vick can't hang onto the ball. So, the spotlight will be on Vick on Sunday, and not for the usual reasons -- people are used to watching him make amazing plays, not to see if/when he messes up. And you have to wonder if Vick will be so self-conscious about the turnovers that it makes him less aggressive and reckless. Although those traits can drive Eagles' fans crazy -- not to mention coaches and players -- they’re also what make Vick special.
Key matchups: The Eagles have seen some elite receivers this season, and too often it’s been the back of their jerseys -- they were burned in successive weeks by the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown) and the Giants’ Victor Cruz (nine for 109 and a TD). This week, it’s the Lions’ Calvin Johnson, and somehow the Eagles have to control him even if they can’t shut him down. Look for Johnson to spend a lot of time in the slot, where teams have hurt rookie Brandon Boykin, and don’t be surprised to see Nnamdi Asomugha move inside when Johnson does.
Injuries of note: The Eagles didn’t have anyone miss practice this week for the first time all season. LB Akeem Jordan, who missed two games with a sore hamstring, returns and reclaims his starting job on the weak side.
Inside stuff: The Eagles’ defense is built around four down linemen rushing the passer by themselves, but opposing teams are aware of that and have been using extra blockers for protection. That’s the main reason the Eagles, who had 50 sacks last season, have just seven sacks in five games this season, which puts them on pace to finish the year with 22. That would be the fewest in team history since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. So expect the Eagles to blitz more than they have in any other game this season, and Akeem Jordan could be a key part of that since he’s the Eagles’ most athletic LB.
Connections: Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was head coach of the Lions from 2001-2002, compiling a record of 5-27.
Stat you should know: The Eagles have been fighting an uphill battle because of the way they start games -- they’ve scored just seven points combined in the first quarter of their five games, the worst mark in the league. The main reason for that is turnovers, as anybody who even remotely follows the Eagles knows. And that has forced them to play catch-up in almost every game. They were able to rally and win three, but everyone will be keeping an eye on their first-quarter production Sunday to see if they can be front-runners for a change.
Looking ahead: The Eagles are off next week, which is why Sunday’s game is so important. Then, when they come out of the bye in two weeks, they have to face Atlanta, which might be the best team in the NFC. The Eagles then travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints’ high-powered offense, followed by the game Eagles fans always circle on their calendar -- an NFC East tussle with Dallas.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Lions 21
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSEagles.
