A analytical break down of the Lions’ Week 3 matchup.
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The Detroit Lions as well as the Philadelphia Eagles are since close to 2-0 because they are to 0-2. Both groups discovered themselves trailing in each of their first couple of games, and both been employed by their option to perhaps the rating. When it comes to Eagles, their heroic comeback on Sunday evening had been ruined by a massive defensive gaffe in the ultimate short while. Meanwhile, the Lions’ blew a lead that is 18-point the Cardinals and may only muster a tie after that.
Both groups have work to do in order to eclipse the existing undefeated groups atop their particular divisions, but both definitely aspire to be into the playoff competition come December. Which means this game could truly possess some implications that are serious tiebreakers—assuming, within the Lions situation, that another playoff contender includes a tie.
So who may have the benefit on Sunday? Let’s look in the matchup. In Writing.
Lions pass offense (22nd in DVOA in 2018) vs. Eagles pass protection (fifteenth)
This year’s DVOA: Lions (8th) vs. Eagles (23rd)
This will be our week that is final that simply just take 2018 data into consideration. This past year, the Lions moving offense began strong, but after the trade of Golden Tate as well as the problems for Marvin Jones, things quickly dropped aside.
This season, things turn to be brighter for Matthew Stafford and business, specially under brand new coordinator that is offensive Bevell. Stafford is 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 up to now this 12 months through two games. Be prepared to see a lot more than a number of most of these playcalls from #OnePride on Sunday. It really is a big section of just what they are doing. #DETvsPHI pic.twitter.com/FyojxxFXku
The Lions happen proficient at distributing the ball around, too. Six players that are different at least four catches through two games and four various receivers have touchdowns. In comparison, 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 so are seventeenth in conclusion portion (65.3). They’ve been specially great at getting amount plays through the atmosphere, with 11 performs for 20+ yards (t-third) and have now just allowed three sacks (t-eighth).
Just last year, the Eagles pass protection ended up being pretty normal, though they recovered very well into the last half associated with season—a pattern that may emerge using this 2018 Eagles group.
This season, they’re down to a different sluggish begin. Though they created several turnovers a week ago from the Falcons, all of those other raw data must be significantly unsettling for Eagles fans. They’re passer that is currently 20th permitted (98.8), t-21st in yards per effort (8.0) and sixteenth in conclusion portion (65.5).
Despite Jim Schwartz’s aggressive protection, the Eagles have only managed two sacks in the years, but they’re still really with the capacity of producing force.
Golladay had their breakout game of the season a week ago against a extremely skilled cornerback in Casey Hayward Jr. An eight-catch, 117-yard performance is impressive, but carrying it out against a great young corner is a complete level that is different. Ronald Darby, too, is definitely a corner that is impressive but he’s down to a terrible begin to 2019. Could it be merely a sluggish begin or is Darby still experiencing the results of their torn ACL from 2018? Time will tell.
Advantage: Lions +1.5
Protection will undoubtedly be key right right right here, as Brandon Graham is unquestionably another player which could influence this matchup greatly. We’re nevertheless uncertain just who is supposed to be playing remaining tackle this week as Taylor Decker remains restricted in practice. A week ago, their replacement, Tyrell Crosby, did an excellent task in security, plus the Lions unpleasant line, overall, rebounded in a way that is big.
So far, Bevell has checked the part as an excellent unpleasant coordinator, plus the Lions’ passing game appears 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 have been running 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 a lot of the 2018 period. The Lions are frantically shuffling their backfield as a result. They’ve currently 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 actually struggled to block in the sides, and that includes rough play from their newly-transformed tight end room. Should they can fall lined up, we could finally see Kerryon Johnson perform during the amounts he did a year ago, but up to now it’s been slim pickings.
Detroit is averaging simply 3.5 yards per carry (t-25th) and is presently earning downs that are first a outline essay measly 18.3 per cent of carries (24th). The Lions are one of 12 groups with out a rush of 20+ yards.
The Eagles operate defense had been an unit that is top-10 12 months, plus they could be better still this season. 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 could be the present lack of protective tackle Timmy Jernigan. With the loss in Malik Jackson to IR, the Eagles are right down to their 4th sequence tackle that is defensive.
Nevertheless the Eagles nevertheless have actually.
Player to view: Fletcher Cox.
While Cox is many known for their ability and quickness to hurry the passer, he’s no slouch as a run defender, either. Exactly the same can really be stated for Brandon Graham, too. That protective front side is nevertheless really advantageous to Philly, despite having the accidents.
Advantage: Eagles +2.5.
There was some small hope that the Lions will get straight back on the right track this week. It surely appears like for each run they’re simply a few ins away from breaking down a huge one. Also, the problems for Jernigan will impact the game certainly.
Nevertheless, the overwhelming quantity of analytical proof points for this being truly a matchup greatly within the benefit of this Eagles. That won’t stop the Lions from wanting to run the ball, but i’dn’t expect this to function as the that Kerryon Johnson breaks out week.
Eagles pass offense (11th) vs. Lions pass protection (31st)
This year’s DVOA: Eagles (10th) vs. Lions (10th)
Whether or not it had been Carson Wentz or Nick Foles, the Eagles had no issue tossing on fools a year ago. In 2010, it seems to be much more of the identical, although the other day had been undoubtedly an interesting information point.
On a single hand, the Eagles had to deal with unexpected accidents to DeSean Jackson, Dallas Goedert and Alshon Jeffery, seriously changing their strategy from the Falcons. They obviously played much better within the last half than the initial.
Having said that, Wentz made some terrible errors at the beginning of that game, plus the Eagles’ pass protection looked extremely shaky against an admittedly impressive atlanta front side.
The Eagles will surely be shorthanded due to their unpleasant weapons this week—with their top two receivers most likely for it this time out—but they will have had a full week to prepare.
Detroit’s offseason want to turn around their pass protection seems to have worked to date. Though on occasion the Cardinals and Chargers appeared to be in a position to pick apart the additional, when it comes to many component, the Lions have won those matchups.
Compliment of play that is solid No. 2 cornerback Rashaan Melvin (he leads the league with five pass breakups) and some spectacular performs through the Lions’ playmakers (Darius Slay, Tracy Walker), the Lions pass protection presently ranks eighth in passer score allowed (74.4), 13th in yards per attempt (6.7) and t-fourth in conclusion portion allowed (55.6).