The Detroit Lions’ rise to first place in the NFC North comes with a fitting twist — their next opponent is the team that helped them get there. Fresh off a victory over Green Bay, the Philadelphia Eagles now stand between Detroit and a statement win in the NFC race.
The stage is set. The Lions, now in first place in the NFC North, will take on the very team that helped them get there. The Philadelphia Eagles took down the Green Bay Packers last night, propelling Detroit into sole possession of first in the division.
Detroit and Philadelphia have clashed 36 times, including once in the postseason. The teams first met when the Lions were still the Portsmouth Spartans, traveling to Philadelphia and winning the inaugural matchup 25-0. In 1934, the Spartans moved to Detroit and became the team we know today.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, in five of their first six meetings against Detroit, they didn’t score a single point. From 1933 to 1945, the Lions went 7-1 against Philadelphia. The teams took a short break before meeting again in 1948 and 1949, with the Eagles winning both matchups. Between 1948 and 1965, the Lions went 3-4-1 against Philadelphia.
The post-Super Bowl era hasn’t always gone Detroit’s way, though there have been memorable games. From 1968 to 1986, the Eagles were dominant. In 1977, Philadelphia signed quarterback Ron Jaworski, who led the Eagles to victories over Detroit in which they scored 44 and 58 points, including a playoff win in 1995, the only postseason meeting between the two franchises.
From 1995 to 2010, the Eagles didn’t lose to the Lions, posting a 6-0 record, including one victory led by former Lions draft pick Rodney Peete. Between 2012 and 2022, however, Detroit has a winning record over Philadelphia, going 4-3, including a 2-1 record at Lincoln Financial Field. In that stretch, the Lions claimed wins over quarterbacks Michael Vick, Mark Sanchez, and Carson Wentz.
In their last two matchups, though, things haven’t gone Detroit’s way. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts hold a 2-0 record over the Lions. In 2021, the Eagles blew out Detroit 44-6 at Ford Field, the eighth game coached by Dan Campbell and Jared Goff’s eighth start with the Lions. In 2022 — a game I attended — the Eagles again edged out Detroit 38-35 after a costly pick-six by Goff proved to be the turning point.
The Lions haven’t played at Lincoln Financial Field since 2019, setting up a perfect opportunity to prove themselves and inch closer to evening the all-time series, which currently sits 18-16-1 in favor of the Eagles. Many Detroit fans thought they’d get another shot at the Eagles last season, but the Commanders upset the Lions in the playoffs, eliminating them before Philadelphia advanced and eventually won the Super Bowl.
Since 2022, both teams have changed significantly. The Lions have added offensive playmakers like Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams, while the defense now features elite pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson and standout safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. While the Eagles added playmakers of AJ Brown and Saquon Barkley.
In what could be a tiebreaker for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Lions have an outstanding opportunity to prove themselves once again. With Dan Campbell calling plays and Jared Goff surrounded by new weapons, Detroit could give the Eagles one of their toughest challenges yet.
The current point spread sits at Eagles -1.5, leaving oddsmakers divided. Home-field advantage will play a factor, but a road win for Detroit could be monumental.
Despite big victories over the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles do have one ugly loss, a defeat to the New York Giants. New York held Saquon Barkley to just 58 rushing yards while their own rushing attack, led by Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, totaled 156 yards and four touchdowns.
With Gibbs and David Montgomery leading Detroit’s backfield, the Lions’ rushing attack could be the key to finally toppling Philadelphia.