Eagles-Lions scouting report

Carson Wentz's fourth career start has the ingredients for his best one yet. The Lions' pass defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to compile a 120.2 passer rating, the highest mark against any defense. It has allowed 12 touchdown passes and has one interception in four games, and quarterbacks are completing 70.7 percent of their passes. That's good news for Wentz, who has not thrown an interception and has his full arsenal in place with tight end Zach Ertz back in the lineup.

The Lions will play without defensive end Ziggy Ansah and linebacker DeAndre Levy, two of their best players. Ansah leaves them without their top pass rusher, and Levy is skilled in coverage. The pass rush has been led by defensive end Kerry Hyder, who has five sacks in four games.

The Lions have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in all four games, which makes this a good week for Ertz to return. Look for the Eagles to incorporate a three-tight-end set with Ertz, Brent Celek, and Trey Burton all active for the first time this season. At wide receiver, Jordan Matthews has a six-inch height advantage over slot cornerback Quandre Diggs. The Bears won the matchup in the slot last week against the Lions, and the Eagles like to play Matthews there in three-receiver sets. The Lions' top cornerback is Darius Slay, who has better size and could match up with Matthews.

The Eagles' offensive line will benefit from another week with Lane Johnson at right tackle. No decision has been made about Johnson's appeal of his drug suspension, so the line remains intact. The Eagles relied on down-the-depth-chart help at running back when they beat the Steelers two weeks ago, and they are expected to continue to use Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner to complement Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. Mathews will remain the top ballcarrier if his ankle cooperates. The Lions have allowed 4.8 yards per carry this season, which is third worst in the NFL. They have not yet allowed a rushing touchdown. Their top tackler is Temple product Tahir Whitehead at middle linebacker.

The Lions don't have Calvin Johnson anymore, but their passing attack can still create problems. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is averaging 299.5 passing yards per game, and wide receiver Marvin Jones is second in the NFL with 482 receiving yards this season. Golden Tate and Anquan Boldin are also accomplished veteran receivers. Tate has been quiet this year and Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expects his production to pick up this week.

The Lions like to pass under the direction of Cooter, but they will miss dynamic tight end Eric Ebron. That loss is accentuated by the lack of depth at the position. Undrafted rookie Cole Wick becomes the starter.

Anyone who watched on Thanksgiving last year knows the matchup problems the Lions can create with running backs catching the ball out of the backfield. Theo Riddick could be a problem, and he will put a strain on the Eagles linebackers. The secondary will benefit from the return of starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Ron Brooks will continue to play the slot and Jalen Mills goes back to being the fourth cornerback.

The key, as it usually is, will be the pass rush. The Lions have allowed 10 sacks this season and have a young offensive line. This could be a good game for those pass rushers. Defensive ends Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin are both Detroit natives, and Fletcher Cox is the reigning NFC player of the month. The line could miss defensive tackle Bennie Logan, who is questionable with a calf injury. Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao are the top reserves if Logan cannot play. Stafford has a big arm and can be dangerous if given time.

The Lions' passing game presents the biggest challenge to the Eagles - their running game averages only 92.3 yards per game. They lost running back Ameer Abdullah for the season, and rookie Dwayne Washington is doubtful. That leaves Riddick and Zach Zenner as the top running backs. Zenner could see an increased role if Washington doesn't play.

102

That's how many passes Carson Wentz has thrown without an interception this season. It's the second longest streak by a rookie to begin his career, surpassed only by Cowboys rookie Dak Prescott with 131 pass attempts. The Cowboys have played four games this season, and the Eagles have played three. Prescott will be challenged by Cincinnati this weekend. The Bengals have four interceptions, the Lions only one. Both players are chasing Tom Brady, who has the longest streak of any player to begin his career with 162 consecutive passes without an interception, from Nov. 23, 2000 to Oct. 28, 2001. Brady is not included with Wentz and Prescott because he attempted only three passes as a rookie.

Zach Berman:

Eagles 24, Lions 10

Jeff McLane:

Eagles 27, Lions 16