Game Preview – DET at PHI

Posted: September 21st, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Game Preview – DET at PHI

This game has a weird feel to it. The Lions and Eagles aren’t exactly bitter rivals. There are no wild angles to this game. Just two NFC teams showing up to play at 1 p.m. on Sunday. I think this is the kind of game the Eagles need. Just show up and play. No special baggage or angles.

We don’t know what to make of either team right now. The Lions played in a shootout type game in the opener and then won a defensive struggle last week. The Eagles have looked awful and awesome in each of their games so far. It always takes a few weeks for teams to figure out who and what they are.

The Eagles will be without DeSean Jackson. We don’t know if Alshon Jeffery or Dallas Goedert will play. You sure can’t count on them to be big parts of the gameplan if they do suit up. The Eagles have added some reinforcements just in case.

Ward will be making his NFL debut. I would expect him to mostly play in the slot. That would free up Nelson Agholor to move around.

I’m really interested to see what the coaches do to help the offense get off to a better start. The first two weeks have been a major struggle early in the game. Injuries were a big part of that last week. The coaches know what they’re dealing with now and can plan accordingly.

Carson Wentz took a pounding last week and the passing game could be missing some key weapons so obvious logic would tell you to run the ball. Doug Pederson doesn’t always do the obvious. He will get creative if there are favorable matchups in the passing game. This might be a time to attack the Lions LBs with RBs out in space.

The Eagles secondary has gotten lit up for two straight weeks. They must play better in this game. DET does not exactly have a great run game. The Eagles should control that. If so, all the pressure will be on Matt Stafford and the passing attack.

This would be an ideal time for Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham to come alive and dominate up front. The Eagles only have 2 sacks this year and neither by a starting DL. I don’t care if the guys get a bunch of sacks, but they must get regular pressure and affect Stafford. The Eagles have allowed 3 TD passes in each of the first two games. That has to stop.

Jim Schwartz blitzed more last week than usual (despite his reluctance to agree with that statement). Schwartz won’t repeat that unless he feels he must do it to get something going on defense. He much prefers to let his DL attack the QB so his back seven can cover and tackle.

This is a game the Eagles need to win.

This is a game the Eagles should win.

Just as importantly, we need to see them play more consistently. The first two weeks have been up and down and up and down. You don’t want to do that for a whole season. It would really help the Eagles to get off to a better start and either play with the lead or keep things close. Falling behind 20-7 and 17-6 puts tremendous pressure on a team.

A lot of eyes will be on LG Isaac Seumalo. He was awful last week and knows it. He must play better this time out. The whole OL must play better. If you can get the run game going early, that would help the line to settle in and get into a good rhythm. Wentz can’t be afraid to play small ball in this game.

Find a way to win and put last week in the rearview mirror.

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