It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The leaves are turning brown, the apple cider is back on the shelves, and (most importantly) Eagles football is back! It’s been a cold and lonely Spring/Summer without the birds. This new season brings brand new big expectations for Philadelphia, and they will show the world what kind of team they actually are on the road in Detroit this Sunday. The Lions have historically been a horrible team, and most likely will continue to be one in this 2022 season. The last time these two teams faced off was last season, a game which the Eagles won 44-6. In order for a similar result to occur, here’s what will have to happen.
Play With the New Toys
AJ Brown is a top 10 receiver in the NFL. He also is (and this is true) on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster. You see where I am going here, right? The Lions secondary is super raw still, and the only hope they have to guard him is if Jeff Okudah (off a huge injury) returns to college form. Brown will live up to his Twitter handle and always will be open. It’s up to the coaching staff and Jalen Hurts to find him. Last time against the Lions, Jalen Hurts threw for only 103 yards, and 72 of them went to Dallas Goedert. This year, there is no reason to get AJ Brown get involved early and often.
Run the Ball
Miles Sanders was hurt the last time these two teams went toe to toe. Despite this, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard filled in for a combined four rushing touchdowns. This time around, it seems Sanders will be healthy.
With a healthy and talented RB trio (maybe a quartet if the coaching staff believes newly acquired Trey Sermon is ready), there is no reason to jam it down their throats again. The Lions have stashed Jarrad Davis, one of their best linebackers, on the practice squad and will most likely be relying on 6th round rookie Malcolm Rodriguez to stop the run. The confidence in this offensive line is at an all-time high, and the Eagles will win if they utilize it to stuff the rock down their throats.
Cox & Company
The Eagles brought the veteran back for a reason. He still has some gas left in the tank and won’t even need to use half of it. Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams and Jordan Davis will see the field with the captain, much to Jared Goff’s chagrin. If the defensive line rotation is fresh and steady, the Eagles cannot lose. The Lions this week announced that starting guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai will be out, meaning the Eagles interior will be feasting on a backup on one of the league’s worst teams. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tommy Kraemer and Logan Stenberg.
Slow Down Swift
D’Andre Swift is one of Detroit’s true and few bona fide weapons. Once he gets out in space, good luck trying to wrap him up. Small and shifty YAC backs have never been good matchups vs. the conservative cover 3 Jonathan Gannon defenses. It will be up to the defense to figure out ways to cut off his cutbacks and bring him to the turf. Gannon cannot be up to his usual antics. Blitzes, press coverage and aggression on third down will be needed to stop Swift before he can get going.
Will We Win?
The Eagles WILL walk out of Ford Field with a 1-0 record to start the year. The Eagles have typically been hot starters, and there is no reason to believe that will change against one of the league’s worst teams. Super Bowl aspirations are on this team’s mind, and they will begin that campaign with a win in front of a sold-out Detroit crowd.
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Jish Sokolsky is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Jish, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
