Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles preview, prediction: in some recoverable format
A analytical break down of the Lions’ Week 3 matchup.
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The Detroit Lions while the Philadelphia Eagles are since close to 2-0 because they are to 0-2. Both groups found themselves trailing in all of their first two games, and both been employed by their option to perhaps the rating. When it comes to Eagles, their heroic comeback on Sunday evening had been ruined by a big protective gaffe in the ultimate short while. Meanwhile, the Lions’ blew a 18-point lead against the Cardinals and may just muster a tie after that.
Both groups have strive to do in order to eclipse the present teams that are undefeated their particular divisions, but both undoubtedly aspire to be when you look at the playoff competition come December. Which means this video game could truly possess some implications that are serious tiebreakers—assuming, into the Lions situation, that another playoff contender has a tie.
So who may have the advantage on Sunday? Let’s look in the matchup. Written Down.
Lions pass offense (22nd in DVOA in 2018) vs. Eagles pass protection (fifteenth)
This year’s DVOA: Lions (8th) vs. Eagles (23rd)
This is our week that is final that just take 2018 data under consideration. A year ago, the Lions moving offense began strong, but following the trade of Golden Tate plus the problems for Marvin Jones, things quickly fell aside.
This present year, things aim to be brighter for Matthew Stafford and business, specially under brand brand new coordinator that is offensive Bevell. Stafford is specially great at play action:
One big part of the #Lions game that is passing? The play-action pass. Matthew Stafford is 16-of-21 off play fakes up to now this through two games year. Be prepared to see a lot more than a small number of most of these playcalls from #OnePride on Sunday. It is a big section of exactly what they are doing. #DETvsPHI pic.twitter.com/FyojxxFXku
The Lions happen proficient at distributing the ball around, too. Six various players have at minimum four catches through two games and four various receivers have actually touchdowns. In contrast, zero Bears players have actually caught a touchdown (sorry, couldn’t assist myself.)
Presently, the Lions rank 10th in passer score (102.6), t-eighth in yards per effort (8.4) and they are seventeenth in conclusion portion (65.3). They’ve been especially great at getting amount plays through the fresh atmosphere, with 11 performs for 20+ yards (t-third) and now have just permitted three sacks (t-eighth).
Just last year, the Eagles pass protection ended up being pretty normal, though they recovered quite nicely when you look at the last half associated with the season—a pattern that may emerge with this 2018 Eagles group.
In 2010, they’re down to a different start that is slow. The rest of the raw data should be somewhat unsettling for Eagles fans though they created a few turnovers last week against the Falcons. They’re passer that is currently 20th permitted (98.8), t-21st in yards per attempt (8.0) and sixteenth in conclusion portion (65.5).
Despite Jim Schwartz’s aggressive protection, the Eagles only have handled two sacks regarding the years, but they’re still quite definitely effective at producing force.
Golladay had their breakout game of the season week that is last an extremely skilled cornerback in Casey Hayward Jr. An eight-catch, 117-yard performance is impressive, but carrying it out against a good young part is a complete various level. Ronald Darby, too, is an impressive part, but he’s down to a horrible begin to 2019. Can it be only a sluggish begin or perhaps is Darby still experiencing the consequences of their torn ACL from 2018? Time will tell.
Advantage: Lions +1.5
Protection should be key right right right here, as Brandon Graham is unquestionably another player that may impact this matchup greatly. We’re nevertheless unsure just who is likely to be playing tackle that is left week as Taylor Decker remains restricted in training. A week ago, their replacement, Tyrell Crosby, did an excellent task in security, additionally the Lions unpleasant line, overall, rebounded in a huge means.
So far, Bevell has checked the component as a good unpleasant coordinator, in addition to Lions’ passing game looks revitalized. Going against a beat-up, mediocre-at-best Philly additional, we have medium confidence the Lions should win this matchup.
Lions run offense (25th) vs. Eagles operate protection (9th)
This year’s DVOA: Lions (28th) vs. Eagles (2nd)
The Lions have been operating the ball a complete great deal, but they’ve been anything but efficient with those runs—and that fits precisely what we saw when it comes to a lot of the 2018 period. The Lions are frantically shuffling their backfield as a result. They’ve already cut veteran C.J. Anderson (16 carries, 43 yards) and included J.D. McKissic and Paul Perkins considering that the initial roster had been set.
The Lions’ inside offensive linemen appear become doing their task acceptably, but Detroit has really struggled to block regarding the sides, and that includes rough play from their newly-transformed tight end room. Should they can fall in line, we could finally see Kerryon Johnson perform during the amounts he did this past year, but thus far it was slim pickings.
Detroit is averaging simply 3.5 yards per carry (t-25th) and it is presently earning very first downs on a measly 18.3 per cent of carries (24th). The Lions are certainly one of 12 groups without having a rush of 20+ yards.
The Eagles run protection had been a top-10 device final 12 months, and so they are better still this present year. They’re currently fourth in yards per carry allowed (2.8), third in yards permitted (85) and first in first down percentage (10.0%).
The reason that is only doubt this product could be the current loss in protective tackle Timmy Jernigan. Combined with lack of Malik Jackson to IR, the Eagles are down to their 4th sequence tackle that is defensive.
However the Eagles continue to have.
Player to look at: Fletcher Cox.
While Cox is many known for their ability and quickness to hurry the passer, he’s no slouch as being a run defender, either. Exactly the same really can be stated for Brandon Graham, too. That protective front side is nevertheless extremely advantageous to Philly, despite having the accidents.
Advantage: Eagles +2.5.
There is certainly some small hope that the Lions will get right right back on course this week. It truly may seem like for each run they’re only an inches that are few from breaking down a huge one. Furthermore, the problems for Jernigan will undoubtedly affect the overall game.
Nevertheless, the amount that is overwhelming of proof points for this being a matchup greatly within the benefit associated with the Eagles. That won’t stop the Lions from wanting to run the ball, but i’dn’t expect this to function as week that Kerryon Johnson breaks away.
Eagles pass offense (11th) vs. Lions pass protection (31st)
This year’s DVOA: Eagles (10th) vs. Lions (10th)
The eagles had no problem throwing on fools last year whether it was Carson Wentz or Nick Foles. This season, it seems to be much more of the identical, although a week ago had been undoubtedly an appealing information point.
Using one hand, the Eagles had to cope with unexpected accidents to DeSean Jackson, Dallas Goedert and Alshon Jeffery, severely changing their strategy from the Falcons. They obviously played definitely better when you look at the last half than the initial.
Having said that, Wentz made some terrible errors at the beginning of that game, plus the Eagles’ pass protection seemed extremely shaky against an admittedly impressive atlanta front side.
The Eagles will definitely be shorthanded using their unpleasant tools this week—with their top two receivers most likely out—but they have had the full week to organize because of it this time.
Detroit’s offseason want to turn their pass defense around seemingly have worked so far. Though on occasion the ninjaessays Cardinals and Chargers was in a position to pick apart the additional, for the part that is most, the Lions have won those matchups.
By way of play that is solid No. 2 cornerback Rashaan Melvin (he leads the league with five pass breakups) and some dazzling performs through the Lions’ playmakers (Darius Slay, Tracy Walker), the Lions pass protection currently ranks eighth in passer score allowed (74.4), 13th in yards per effort (6.7) and t-fourth in conclusion portion allowed (55.6).
