Game Preview – At Detroit

Posted: October 8th, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 59 Comments »

I talked about how facing the Steelers was a test for the Eagles. That was the best team the Eagles had faced to that point. They had an elite QB and it just felt like a big game. Obviously the Eagles passed that test with flying colors.

Now it’s onto the Lions, and in some ways this is just as much of a test. How you handle success can be just as important as how you handle adversity. The Eagles are now 3-0. They are getting lots of media attention and being looked at as one of the better teams in the league.

I wrote my PE.com preview on the challenge Doug Pederson faces in getting the Eagles to stay hungry and stay focused. The good news is that the Eagles have the kind of players that I think will stay hungry. 2015 wasn’t successful or fun. These players are winning and the team vibe is great. No one is griping about lack of reps or touches. There is no offense vs defense dynamic going on. The coaching staff seems to be on the same page and doing a great job.

Doug Pederson was tasked with changing the atmosphere in the locker room and the whole NovaCare building. He’s done just that, getting his players to feel like a family again and to play like one as well. So far, Pederson has pushed the right buttons. He’s had the right message each week. And the players keep buying in.

We’ll see what happens on Sunday.

WHAT I’LL BE WATCHING

Tackling — Theo Riddick is a dangerous runner and receiver. Put him in space and he can make defenders miss, as he did to the Eagles last year. Marvin Jones can also be dangerous when he’s got the ball. Golden Tate was really quiet last week and he could have a major chip on his shoulder in this game. The Eagles need to rally to the ball and tackle well. Take away RAC yards. Make Matt Stafford hold the ball longer to find targets down the field.

Pressure — Stafford has been sacked 10 times this year. The Lions offense is 16th in sack percentage. The Eagles defense is 3rd in sack percentage. On paper that’s a big advantage for the Eagles. That needs to show up on the field. Fletcher Cox should have a big advantage vs their interior blockers. On the flip side, the Eagles protect the passer really well and the Lions are only so-so at getting after the QB. If the Eagles OL plays well, Carson Wentz can have a huge day.

Depth Charge — As a companion point to the one above, the Lions average more than 40 dropbacks per game. That means a lot of chances for the defense to rush the QB. I have confidence in the Eagles starters. This could be a week when the backups will play more and will need to be productive. That doesn’t mean they need sacks per se, but they do have to pressure Stafford and be disruptive. Maybe Beau Allen gets a sack. Or Marcus Smith.

Choice of Weapons — The Lions have the worst pass defense in the league. They can’t cover and they don’t make plays, the worst of both worlds. They have been lit up by TEs and WRs. I’m curious to see how Pederson plays this. Does he use the TEs to attack? Does he spread the Lions out and go WR heavy? Does Wentz start throwing the ball more downfield? If the OL wins up front, Wentz and Pederson can move the ball in a variety of ways. It will be interesting to see how they decide to do that.

Catch the Ball — This is true for the offense and defense. DGB could have had a long TD in the Steelers game. Nelson Agholor failed to catch a deep ball against the Bears. Jordan Matthews just missed a big play in the Steelers game. The WRs need to find a way to make these plays. Big plays have a huge impact in the NFL. When they are there, you must execute and take advantage of them. The defense dropped one INT for sure last week and was close a few other times. Stafford will take some chances. When he does, the Eagles need to catch those balls and make him pay.

Be Smart — Wentz hasn’t taken many chances so far this year. That’s helped him to avoid turnovers. If he thinks receivers are going to get open in this game, that could cause him to hold the ball longer, looking for bigger gains. That’s fine, but there are times to get the ball out quickly. Be aggressive, but be smart. The Eagles are the better team. I think the Lions need help in the form of Eagles mistakes to win the game. Wentz needs to continue his smart play.

_


59 Comments on “Game Preview – At Detroit”

  1. 1 Game Preview – At Detroit - said at 5:37 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    […] Tommy Lawlor I talked about how facing the Steelers was a test for the Eagles. That was the best team the Eagles […]

  2. 2 daveH said at 6:00 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Huff gets one deep for us

  3. 3 wee2424 said at 7:41 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    And Trump will be a good president. I guess if it were to happen it would be this week.

    I think you see DGB put up some numbers in this game.

  4. 4 Media Mike said at 8:48 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Grabbing Sheli by its p***y?

  5. 5 daveH said at 9:18 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Whats up Ttump.
    Trump you sicken me, youre so tacky. So gauche .. you put your name on everything, ..
    https://youtu.be/A1hP9M0MNdo

  6. 6 HawaiianEagle said at 10:02 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    The Hillary Clinton net worth total of $31.3 million comes from analyzing her Public Financial Disclosure Reports. Bill Clinton has an estimated net worth of $80 million. That gives a combined Bill and Hillary Clinton net worth of $111 million dollars.

  7. 7 daveH said at 10:31 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    They repored 114M of income last year.
    Public service has been good yo them clintons.
    Thats why its sickening to hear her cry poverty.
    A few weeks ago the Clinton Foundation paid dear buddy Bill 250 dimes for a speech. Must be nice to employ yoursrlf from donations like dat.
    ..
    Ive got the clintons in my govt fantasy team. They sure know how to work the system.

  8. 8 PacificPurl said at 1:57 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Yes. Trump thinks he’s the biggest shark in the tank. He’ll be eaten alive. He has no clue about the cesspool that is D.C. Hillary at least has been there.

  9. 9 Tumtum said at 7:06 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Traded Theo Riddick for Michael Thomas this week.. hope it wasnt a mistake!!

  10. 10 A_T_G said at 8:20 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I heard Riddick is facing a tough matchup this week.

  11. 11 Dan in Philly said at 7:09 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Curious. We know what the Eagles gave up to get Wentz. Suppose they traded him now. Viable, possibly top 10 QB cost controlled for 4 years. What could they get for him? Multiple 1st rounders?? A whole draft???

  12. 12 The original AG said at 7:29 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Nothing would be worth it

  13. 13 ChoTime said at 12:22 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    World Peace?

  14. 14 The original AG said at 2:06 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    http://i.imgur.com/z1iWeTk.jpg

  15. 15 wee2424 said at 7:39 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Unless we were to get a more promising young franchise QB then its not even in the same zip code as worth it. I don’t see a more promising young franchise QB out there.

  16. 16 A_T_G said at 8:19 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    They could get themselves run out of town by a mob no judge in the city would convict.

  17. 17 Media Mike said at 8:49 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, and two 1s.

  18. 18 SteveH said at 9:41 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Even though I can’t stand Russell Lilac Lips Wilson I’d love to see this trade go down just for the pure chaos of it.

  19. 19 Insomniac said at 9:36 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Tom Brady or Peyton Manning in their prime. Anything else is a damn mistake.

  20. 20 daveH said at 10:49 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Not a Manning … A Rod helllllll YES

  21. 21 Insomniac said at 4:46 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    but Rodgers only has one Super Bowl win

  22. 22 daveH said at 11:24 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Hes just 1 coach or 2 players away..

  23. 23 HawaiianEagle said at 9:44 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Hope not, I just bought a Wentz jersey…

  24. 24 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:57 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    If it doesn’t involve at leasthalf a dozen pro-bowlers, 7 1st round drafts picks, a guarantee that the Cowboys will go 0-16 for 12 consecutive years, 20 bags of funyuns, a case of Victory Hop Devil, and a nerf gun the size of an 18-wheeler, we wuz robbed.

  25. 25 PacificPurl said at 1:52 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    It’s only been 4 games!

  26. 26 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:02 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    You’re right. Make that 8 1st round draft picks.

  27. 27 The original AG said at 7:32 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Tommy, you should talk to the site webmaster.

    I keep getting this error every so often: Fatal error: Internal Zend error – Missing class information for in /home/content/32/7306932/html/wp-content/plugins/like-button-plugin-for-wordpress/include/gb_generate.php on line 22

    Seems like a php error.

  28. 28 A_T_G said at 8:16 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I saw the same thing a few times. And yeah, php – pretty huge problem – I was going to say the same thing.

  29. 29 SteveH said at 9:25 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Same problem here, same wordpress error. Not sure what’s up but at least it goes away quickly.

  30. 30 Buge Halls said at 9:33 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I’m guessing it’s during his update process (loading a new article).

  31. 31 The original AG said at 8:06 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Watching Tenn/Texas A&M. With some of the mistakes in this game, I can’t believe this is #8 vs #9. Is it because it’s conference play, or is there just a drop off after the top five or six?

    Also, anyone else hoping Mich/Ohio St. are both undefeated for their match up next month?

  32. 32 A_T_G said at 8:23 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I am not a big college fan, but I’d imagine getting support for cheering for Michigan and Ohio State to win every game for a month is going to be tough sledding around here.

  33. 33 Media Mike said at 8:52 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I hate both of those teams, but when they’re both undefeated playing each other it is a good game.

  34. 34 The original AG said at 9:25 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I think the same thing about it being a good game. The only college team I hate is ND, but outside of that I just want to watch some good football games.

  35. 35 Media Mike said at 8:49 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Tennessee’s Running Back threw too many INTs

  36. 36 Media Mike said at 8:53 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I’d enjoy the winner of an undefeated OSU and undefeated Michigan getting smoked in the playoff game.

  37. 37 CrackSammich said at 2:45 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Don’t know. I watched #6 lose to a triple option team in person today, so maybe it’s just an any given Sunday situation.

  38. 38 三五营销 said at 8:48 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    向您学习,我的QQ:251488761!多多指教!
    丙申年(猴)九月初八 2016-10-8

  39. 39 SteveH said at 9:27 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    I have absolutely no idea how Doug P, Wentz, Schwartz, everything has come together so quickly.

    I thought FOR SURE that Doug P was a placeholder coach until someone better became available. He’s shocked the heck out of me.

  40. 40 The original AG said at 9:30 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    One of my friends is from Wisconsin, and he has said to me several times that he’s really happy for our organization that we got Doug P. He said he’s always liked him (and generally in GB) and thought he’d be a good coach. I think only here in Philly people think less of him because he wasn’t that athletically talented on the field. Some of the lesser talented guys are just made for coaching, while great players generally aren’t. Either way I’m happy with the results, even though I had many doubts as him being as good as he’s been. But then again I’m a homer, so it doesn’t take much (a la I was a CK believer).

  41. 41 SteveH said at 9:32 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Yeah man, I’m right there with you, its just… There was nothing about Doug that really made you say, yeah that’s the guy who’s going to lead this franchise. But here we are, he’s obviously got the locker room 100% behind him, and he’s making all kinds of smart decisions so… Just Jesus, he was the most meh hire at the time but now… Holy christ if we can keep rolling…

  42. 42 EJ said at 10:11 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    I think the Eagles success says more about how bad a head coach and GM Chip Kelly was, and how bad Bill Davis was as a DC.

  43. 43 John Galt said at 11:52 PM on October 8th, 2016:

    Ryan Mathews or Bobby Rainey in fantasy this week? It is PPR

  44. 44 SteveH said at 12:13 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Mathews is so risky, it’s a really tough call. He might get barely any usage or maybe his ankle is back so they make him the bellcow.

  45. 45 Howie Littlefinger said at 12:53 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    I would probably go with Rainey

  46. 46 SteveH said at 12:08 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    God I’m so jonesing for some goddamn Eagles football. My classwork is all done for the weekend now, just need the game to get here. I think the oddsmakers are crazy for putting it at Eagles -3, I think the birds are going to go in there and crush them. We’re going to wreak havoc on their passing game with our front 4 and Wentz is going to go for 3 TD’s in the air, I’m calling it.

  47. 47 Howie Littlefinger said at 12:53 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Pair this scenario with a Dal,NYG,&WSH loss and I will be very happy

  48. 48 The original AG said at 2:04 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    What are you studying?

  49. 49 SteveH said at 2:55 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    I’m in my last year of undergrad for journalism, with a minor in creative writing. I’m planning on going on to get my masters in either journalism or writing, haven’t decided yet. It’s complicated because this is my 2nd tour of duty in college, the first time through I got an associates and that was it. Went out in the world, learned some stuff, went back.

  50. 50 Bert's Bells said at 11:31 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Graduate schools: Columbia for Journalism, Iowa for writing.

    Tommy will write you a recommendation.

  51. 51 MattE said at 7:38 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Jonathan Cooper released by Pats….any interest with Lane situation on horizon?

  52. 52 Anders said at 7:49 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    No, Cooper is bad

  53. 53 D3FB said at 9:04 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Ehhhh I haven’t watched him with the Pats but when I watched him to preview the Cards game last year, he’s still got the talent that had him picked so high, but he’s missed alot of development time and is inconsistent.

    I wouldn’t want him right now, (when we release Wiz after not being able to trade him, that might be different) but if he’s available in the offseason he would be a prime buy low candidate. Best case you have enough time to work out the kinks and get a guy with a ton of talent and no off the field crap for nothing.

  54. 54 Dragon_Eagle said at 10:59 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    The run down of the games that matter and the hopes for a perfect day:

    Eagles over Lions – Wentz and Matthews do business, 4 times.
    Bengals over Cowboys – Duk!!
    Ravens over Snyders – Let the downward spiral resume
    Packers over Giants – How much did you spend on that defense New York?
    Texans over Vikings – Upset of the day
    Broncos over Falcons – potentially a great game
    Browns over Pats – just because everyone is sick of Br*dy.
    Bills over Rams – Battle of the 7-9 teams.
    Bucs over Panthers – Kick ’em when they’re down.

  55. 55 daveH said at 11:27 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    Im not sick of brady but sick of cam newton

  56. 56 HawaiianEagle said at 11:32 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    I’m sick of all dallas QBs

  57. 57 daveH said at 1:28 PM on October 9th, 2016:

    I love romo and all his faults … Dak on the other hand looks too good

  58. 58 anon said at 11:59 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    have an eagles, bears, vikings, bills parlay working. 5 gets you 65.

  59. 59 HawaiianEagle said at 11:47 AM on October 9th, 2016:

    When is Bryce Treggs gonna play?