Detroit Lions Jameson Williams hostile environments
Williams said the most hostile environments were at Texas A&M and Green Bay.
Forty-seven points.
That’s all that separates the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles — two members of the NFL for nearly 100 years apiece — over their 36 meetings, with the Lions going 16-18-2 against the phine, pheathered phellows from Philly: The Lions have scored 748 against the Eagles, and given up 795 in the regular season … a difference of 47 points.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the Lions have lost their past two to the Eagles — in 2021 and 2022 — by a combined score of 82-41 … a difference of 41 points.
It’s probably too much to expect the Lions to get all those points back in their “Sunday Night Football” matchup tonight (8:20 p.m., NBC), but a start?
Six Free Press sports writers have their thoughts on the chances there.
Dave Birkett
Lions defensive tackle Roy Lopez called this as big a nonconference game as there is in the regular season and it’s hard to argue. The Lions and Eagles are two of the best teams in football and the winner will have the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Both teams have struggled offensively at times this year and gotten inconsistent play from their offensive lines.
The Lions seemed to turn a corner with Dan Campbell calling plays last week, but I don’t think things will come as easy against a talented Eagles front. This game’s a coin flip, but playing at home in prime time, I’m taking the defending Super Bowl champs in a nailbiter. The pick: Eagles 24, Lions 21.
Carlos Monarrez
This should be a good battle of strength on strength between the Lions’ offense, which is very good on fourth down and in the red zone, and an Eagles defense equally good in those categories. The Lions are the overall better team, with an offense that was already good but just got better with Dan Campbell calling plays. But if you thought the Lions had issues on offense, grab some toilet paper and go ask Eagles receiver A.J. Brown what he thinks of his offense. The pick: Lions 33, Eagles 27.
The Eagles have home-field advantage, but the Lions have the personnel advantage (in all three phases), the coaching advantage (with Dan Campbell now calling plays on offense) and the quarterback advantage (with Jared Goff a steadier option than Jalen Hurts). The Eagles’ Vic Fangio-led defense will slow Detroit’s explosive offense, but it won’t be able to stop it entirely. The pick: Lions 27, Eagles 24.
Rainer Sabin
The Lions appeared to get their groove back in a rout of Washington last Sunday. But the reigning Super Bowl champions present a much bigger challenge than the Commanders.
The Eagles are 7-2 – a record reflective of a resilient bunch that has found ways to win. Against a Lions team not at full strength, the raucous home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field should help the Eagles prevail in a nip-and-tuck affair. The pick: Eagles 24, Lions 21.
Jeff Seidel
Yes, I believe in Dan Campbell, especially when he’s calling plays. And Campbell will have a plan for Jared Goff to get rid of the ball quickly, limiting Philadelphia’s pass rush. But this game will be won on the other side of the ball. Philadelphia is highly effective in the red zone, but the Lions’ defense will force just enough three-and-outs to win a game that will propel them to the Super Bowl. The pick: Lions 28, Eagles 24.
Shawn Windsor
Philly keeps finding ways to win tight games. It’s time for the Lions’ first walk-off of the season. The Eagles front will be a load for the Lions interior line, but Dan Campbell finds just enough rhythm offensively to help his guys squeak one out. The pick: Lions 20, Eagles 19.