Eagles-Lions: The pick
THE PICK IN PICKING the Eagles to win, I am violating one of my sacred principles. As we get further into the season, I think you can sometimes deduce something from asking which team needs the game more. The Lions are 1-3, but the three losses are by a total of 11 points. The Eagles are 3-0, and they probably aren't THAT good. Detroit is more desperate.
THE PICK
IN PICKING the Eagles to win, I am violating one of my sacred principles. As we get further into the season, I think you can sometimes deduce something from asking which team needs the game more. The Lions are 1-3, but the three losses are by a total of 11 points. The Eagles are 3-0, and they probably aren't THAT good. Detroit is more desperate.
But sacred principle aside, I don't see a lot of good reasons to pick the Lions. Their defense ranks 21st against the pass, 23rd against the run. The Eagles are healthy coming off their bye, with Zach Ertz in the arsenal for the first time since the opener. The Lions have given up a touchdown pass to a tight end in every game so far this season.
Matthew Stafford can hurt you. He's also been sacked 10 times so far. If the Eagles' pass rush equals its effort against the Steelers, Stafford won't have time to unleash the kind of fireworks he detonated last Thanksgiving.