A breakdown that is statistical of Lions’ Week 3 matchup.
Share this tale
Share All options that are sharing: Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles preview, prediction: written down
Picture by Dave Reginek/Getty Images
The Detroit Lions plus the Philadelphia Eagles are since close to 2-0 because they are to 0-2. Both groups discovered themselves trailing in all of their first couple of games, and both been employed by their option to perhaps the score. For the Eagles, their heroic comeback on Sunday evening ended up being ruined by a massive gaffe that is defensive the ultimate short while. Meanwhile, the Lions’ blew a lead that is 18-point the Cardinals and might just muster a tie after that.
Both groups have strive to do in order to eclipse the present undefeated groups atop their particular divisions, but both undoubtedly aspire to be into the playoff battle come December. Which means this game could definitely involve some implications that are serious tiebreakers—assuming, into the Lions instance, that another playoff contender includes a tie.
So who’s got the benefit on Sunday? Let’s look in the matchup. Written Down.
Lions pass offense (22nd in DVOA in 2018) vs. Eagles pass protection (fifteenth)
This year’s DVOA: Lions (8th) vs. Eagles (23rd)
This is our week that is final that simply simply just take 2018 data into consideration. Just last year, the Lions moving offense began strong, but following the trade of Golden Tate together with problems for Marvin Jones, things quickly dropped aside.
This present year, things turn to be brighter for Matthew Stafford and business, especially under brand brand new unpleasant coordinator Darrell Bevell. Stafford happens to be specially great at play action:
One big part of the #Lions moving game? The play-action pass. Matthew Stafford is 16-of-21 off play fakes to date this through two games year. Be prepared to see a lot more than a couple of most of these playcalls from #OnePride on Sunday. It is a big section of exactly what they are doing. #DETvsPHI pic.twitter.com/FyojxxFXku
The Lions are proficient at distributing the ball around, too. Six various players have actually at least four catches through two games and four various receivers have actually touchdowns. In contrast, zero Bears players have actually caught a touchdown (sorry, couldn’t assist myself.)
Presently, the Lions rank 10th in passer score (102.6), t-eighth in yards per effort (8.4) and they are 17th in conclusion portion (65.3). They’ve been especially great at getting amount plays through the atmosphere, with 11 performs for 20+ yards (t-third) and have now just permitted three sacks (t-eighth).
A year ago, the Eagles pass defense had been pretty typical, though they recovered very well into the last half associated with season—a pattern that will emerge with this 2018 Eagles group.
This season, they’re off to a different start that is slow. The rest of the raw data should be somewhat unsettling for Eagles fans though they created a few turnovers last week against the Falcons. They’re presently twentieth passer rating permitted (98.8), t-21st in yards per attempt (8.0) and sixteenth in completion percentage (65.5).
Despite Jim Schwartz’s aggressive protection, the Eagles have just handled two sacks regarding the years, but they’re still greatly with the capacity of producing force.
Golladay had their breakout game of the season week that is last an extremely skilled cornerback in Casey Hayward Jr. An eight-catch, 117-yard performance is impressive, but carrying it out against a good young part is an entire level that is different. Ronald Darby, too, is a corner that is impressive but he’s down to a horrible begin to 2019. Will it be only a sluggish begin or is Darby still experiencing the results of their torn ACL from 2018? Time will tell.
Advantage: Lions +1.5
Protection should be key here, as Brandon Graham is unquestionably another player that may influence this matchup greatly. We’re nevertheless unsure who will likely to be playing remaining tackle this week as Taylor Decker remains limited in training. A week ago, their replacement, Tyrell Crosby, did a superb work in security, in addition to Lions unpleasant line, overall, rebounded in a huge means.
To date, Bevell has checked the component as a fantastic unpleasant coordinator, together with Lions’ passing game looks revitalized. Going against a beat-up, mediocre-at-best Philly additional, we have medium confidence the Lions should win this matchup.
Lions run offense (25th) vs. Eagles operate protection (9th)
This year’s DVOA: Lions (28th) vs. Eagles (2nd)
The Lions happen running https://eliteessaywriters.com/blog/essay-outline the ball a complete great deal, but they’ve been anything but efficient with those runs—and that fits just what we saw for the all of the 2018 period. The Lions are frantically shuffling their backfield as a result. They’ve already cut veteran C.J. Anderson (16 carries, 43 yards) and included J.D. McKissic and Paul Perkins because the roster that is initial set.
The Lions’ inside offensive linemen appear become doing their work acceptably, but Detroit has really struggled to block regarding the sides, and that includes rough play from their newly-transformed tight end space. Should they can fall in line, we’re able to finally see Kerryon Johnson perform in the amounts he did a year ago, but thus far it’s been slim pickings.
Detroit is averaging simply 3.5 yards per carry (t-25th) and it is presently making very first downs on a measly 18.3 per cent of carries (24th). The Lions are certainly one of 12 groups with out a rush of 20+ yards.
The Eagles operate protection ended up being an unit that is top-10 12 months, as well as can be better yet this present year. They’re currently fourth in yards per carry allowed (2.8), 3rd in yards permitted (85) and very first in first down percentage (10.0%).
The only explanation to doubt this product may be the present loss in protective tackle Timmy Jernigan. With the lack of Malik Jackson to IR, the Eagles are right down to their 4th sequence tackle that is defensive.
However the Eagles continue to have.
Player to view: Fletcher Cox.
While Cox is many known for their ability and quickness to rush the passer, he’s no slouch as being a run defender, either. The exact same really can be stated for Brandon Graham, too. That protective front side is nevertheless extremely great for Philly, despite having the accidents.
Advantage: Eagles +2.5.
There is certainly some small hope that the Lions could possibly get right straight back on course this week. It certainly appears like for each run they’re merely a few ins away from breaking away a big one. Also, the problems for Jernigan will definitely affect the overall game.
Nevertheless, the amount that is overwhelming of evidence points to the being fully a matchup greatly when you look at the benefit regarding the Eagles. That won’t stop the Lions from wanting to run the ball, but i’dn’t expect this to function as that Kerryon Johnson breaks out week.
Eagles pass offense (11th) vs. Lions pass protection (31st)
This year’s DVOA: Eagles (10th) vs. Lions (10th)
The eagles had no problem throwing on fools last year whether it was Carson Wentz or Nick Foles. In 2010, it seems to become more of the identical, although a week ago had been truly an appealing information point.
The eagles had to deal with sudden injuries to DeSean Jackson, Dallas Goedert and Alshon Jeffery, severely altering their game plan against the Falcons on one hand. They plainly played far better within the last half than the very first.
Having said that, Wentz made some horrible errors at the beginning of that game, additionally the Eagles’ pass protection seemed extremely shaky against A atlanta that is admittedly impressive front.
The Eagles will definitely be shorthanded due to their unpleasant tools this week—with their top two receivers most likely out—but they have had the full week to organize because of it this time.
Detroit’s offseason want to turn around their pass protection seems to have worked so far. Though every so often the Cardinals and Chargers appeared to be able to pick apart the additional, for the many part, the Lions have won those matchups.
As a result of play that is solid No. 2 cornerback Rashaan Melvin (he leads the league with five pass breakups) and some dazzling performs through the Lions’ playmakers (Darius Slay, Tracy Walker), the Lions pass defense currently ranks eighth in passer score allowed (74.4), 13th in yards per effort (6.7) and t-fourth in conclusion portion allowed (55.6).