Eagles vs. Lions Week 3 game preview and predictions

When the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2019 schedule first came out, their Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions hardly screamed “must win.”

But that’s exactly where the Eagles find themselves after dropping a game to the Atlanta Falcons last weekend. The Eagles are 1-1 and they’ll be 1-2 heading into a Thursday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers if they lose this afternoon.

Despite playing home and being favored in this matchup, it feels like the Eagles’ backs are up against the wall a bit here. The offense is going to have to prove they can overcome the potential absences of DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, and perhaps Dallas Goedert. Carson Wentz might need to carry the team on his back like he did in the second half against Atlanta. It’d be nice if the Eagles could get the run game going to help him out a little.

Getting out to a fast start for once would be a relief. The Eagles have zero first quarter points this season and just 10 first half points. Doug Pederson really needs to figure this out. No better time than today to remedy that issue.

The Lions come to Philly with an undefeated record (1-0-1). They’re not some great team by any means but they’re also not a total pushover. Matthew Stafford’s offensive line prevented him from getting sacked last week and only allowed zero sacks. The Eagles’ pass rush will need their best performance of the season in this game or else Stafford’s going to have time to torch a struggling Eagles secondary. Defensively, one must be concerned about Darius Slay taking Nelson Agholor away and forcing Wentz to beat the Lions by relying on the likes of Mack Hollins, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and Greg Ward. Zach Ertz will be especially crucial to the Eagles if they’re going to have any offensive success.

I haven’t been feeling super great about this week’s matchup. The Eagles have a lot of issues right now. With that said, I have a hard time taking Stafford and Matt Patricia over Wentz and Pederson. The Eagles also having the second best home field advantage in the league since 2016 helps give Philly an edge. I don’t think this is pretty but I do think the Eagles escape with a win in a close, ugly game.

They have to.

Suggested format:

Score prediction:

Bold prediction:

My predictions:

Score prediction: 20-17, Eagles win.

Bold prediction: Greg Ward throws a touchdown pass to Carson Wentz.

Your predictions:

Leave your own predictions in the comments.