Week 11 brings one of the Lions’ biggest challenges yet — a high-stakes matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles that could shape the NFC playoff picture and test just how far Detroit has come under head coach Dan Campbell.
It’s already Week 11, and this NFL season seems to be flying by. It feels like just last week the Detroit Lions were dropping 52 points on the Chicago Bears, but that game is already in the rearview mirror. Now, the Lions are preparing for their toughest opponent since the Kansas City Chiefs — the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
At 6-2 and sitting atop the NFC North, Detroit has a prime opportunity to make a statement against one of the league’s most complete teams. A win over Philadelphia wouldn’t just bolster the Lions’ playoff hopes, it would prove that this team belongs among the NFL’s elite.
The Eagles enter the matchup fresh off a decisive win over the Green Bay Packers. Newly acquired pass rusher Jaelan Phillips made an immediate impact, recording multiple pressures and helping set the tone defensively. Phillips looked like the missing piece the Eagles have been searching for on their defensive front.
Philadelphia did suffer a brief scare when All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson was rolled up on early in the game. Initially, it looked like his day might be done, but Johnson returned after halftime and finished the contest, a promising sign for an offensive line that remains one of the best in football.
Detroit’s injury report, however, brings mixed news. Safety Kerby Joseph continues to sit out of practice, while cornerback Terrion Arnold remains in concussion protocol. On a brighter note, cornerback D.J. Reed has had his 21-day return window opened, meaning the team has three weeks to activate him from injured reserve or rule him out for the remainder of the season.
For Detroit to take down Philadelphia, three key factors will be critical.
Key No. 1: Establish the Run Game
The Lions have built their offensive identity on a powerful run game. Last week, rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs exploded for a season-high 142 rushing yards, while David Montgomery recorded his second-best total of the season. That one-two punch has been central to Detroit’s success.
In both of Philadelphia’s losses this season, opponents topped 130 rushing yards and scored at least one rushing touchdown. The New York Giants, led by rookie back Cam Skattebo’s 98 yards and three touchdowns, stunned the Eagles 34-17. In the other loss, Denver’s J.K. Dobbins racked up 79 yards and a score in a 21-17 victory. When the Lions fail to run effectively, as seen in two of their three losses, when Gibbs had fewer than 25 rushing yards, their offense stalls. Philadelphia ranks 14th in rushing yards allowed per game (118.6), so controlling the ground game and the clock will be vital.
Key No. 2: Win the Turnover Battle
Turnovers decide games, and this matchup is no exception. The Lions rank fifth in the NFL in turnover differential at +6, while the Eagles sit just behind them at +5. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts has thrown only one interception all year, and that came in one of the team’s two losses. If Detroit protects the football and forces a takeaway or two, its chances of winning increase dramatically.
Key No. 3: Protect Jared Goff
Quarterback Jared Goff was kept clean last week, not sacked once and responded with 320 yards and three touchdowns. That protection starts with All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell, who did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play. Sewell anchors an offensive line that has been dominant in both pass protection and run blocking.
The Eagles’ defensive front, featuring Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo (the team’s sack leader), and newcomer Jaelan Phillips, poses a major challenge. Every Lions lineman will have their hands full.
This matchup between two NFC powerhouses should deliver plenty of excitement. Both teams are chasing the conference’s top seed, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Detroit, a victory would be more than just another win, it would be proof that the Lions truly belong among the NFL’s best.