The Detroit Lions opened the 2022 season as 4-point underdogs to the Philadelphia Eagles at kickoff and were at a distinct disadvantage in the run defense department against Philly; as proven in last season’s 44-6 home loss, and on Sunday nothing much proved to change. The Eagles rushing attack spearheaded by Jalen Hurts rushed for a total of 216 yds on 39 attempts for 5.5 YPC and 4 TDs on the young Lions’ Defense, and a large amount of the damage was created on 3rd Down.
The Lions struggled to control Hurts and the Eagles on the money down to the tune of 10-17 (58.8%), and therefore gave the offense opportunity after opportunity to punch the ball in, and the Eagles for the most part took care of the things on their end. Lions D’Andre Swift also put his full skills on display and maybe had his best showing as a Pro. Detroit’s Offensive Line consistently reached the second level on Philly’s Defensive front between the 20’s and Swift was able to accumulate 144 yards on just 15 carries (9.6 YPC).
You can’t have a YPC that high without great downfield blocking, and the Lions receivers, along with T.J. Hockenson, showed up consistently throughout the game in that area. However, the unit left a lot of positive plays on the field especially early in the game when the Eagles were really putting their foot on the gas. Too many dropped passes and miscommunications between Jared Goff and the corps led to an ugly 1st half lull which consisted of three straight 3-and-outs, and an interception. By the time it was all said and done, the Lions found themselves in a 14-24 halftime hole with a defense that spent entirely too many snaps on the field.
The Eagles capped off a 10-play drive to begin the 2nd half with a Kenneth Gainwell TD run that pushed the Lions into a 14-31 deficit and all but secured an Eagles win as long as they could withstand the wave that Detroit would eventually deliver. The Lions scored on the very next drive, a 4-yard TD pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but the drive took 14 plays and 6:12 off of the clock. In situations like this one, you must get timely defensive stops, but Detroit time and time again could not get the Eagles off of the field on 3rd down and routinely paid for it. Hurts and Philly’s rush attack marched right down the field the following drive to take a commanding 38-21 lead and forced Detroit into emergency mode in the 4th quarter. The Lions gave a tough and gritty effort to the final whistle, outscoring the Eagles 14-0 in the final quarter and almost completing a 17-point comeback but fell short once again due to an inability to get off of the field on 3rd down, and the game was sealed by Miles Sanders.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
EAGLES
- Scored all 38 points in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters
- 27 1st Downs (13 on the ground)
- 10-17 on 3rd down, 2-3 on 4th down
- 39 Rush Attempts
- 1 Defensive TD
- 4 Different Eagles scored a rushing TD
- DeVonta Smith (0) Catches
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LIONS
- 3 Consecutive 3-and-outs, one pick-6, in 4 possessions
- Surrendered 24 points in the 2nd quarter
- Red Zone Efficiency 4-4 (100%)
- 16 missed catches recorded
- Average yards gained per pass play (5.4)
- Jeff Okudah 10 tackles, 2 catches allowed for 17 yds
- Avg 6.5 YPC, 3 TDs
FINAL SCORE: Eagles 38 Lions 35
