Eagles-Lions scouting report

Recent history: The Eagles have a six-game win streak in the series, including a 56-21 rout on the Lions' last visit to Philadelphia, Sept. 23, 2007. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 16-12-2.

Eagles

383.4 yards per game (11th)

Lions

412.3 yards per game (3rd)

Quarterback

Eagles

Michael Vick had his highest passer rating of the season (104.2) vs. Pittsburgh. He completed 11 of 16 passes vs. the blitz, 4 of 5 passes in the red zone, 8 of 11 in the fourth quarter and 4 of 6 on third down. He has 11 turnovers in five games although he hasn't thrown an interception in his last 104 attempts.

Lions

Only Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees threw more TD passes than Matthew Stafford last year, but he's got just three in four game. Stafford has one of the league's strongest arms, but because of his confidence in that arm, he occasionally makes some questionable decisions.

Pick: Lions

Running back

Eagles

LeSean McCoy had a season-low 53 rushing yards last week and had just two carries longer than 6 yards. But he picked up seven first downs on 16 carries and converted four of five short-yardage situations (2 yards or less). With loss of All-Pro LT Jason Peters, the majority of McCoy's runs have been to the right.

Lions

The Lions' best RB, Jahvid Best, is out indefinitely with concussion problems. Mikel Leshoure is a solidly built downhill runner who had a 100-yard game vs. Tennessee in Week 3, but was held to 26 yards on 13 carries by the Vikings 2 weeks ago. Kevin Smith is an inside-outside threat.

Pick: Eagles

Receiver

Eagles

After catching 12 passes for 222 yards in the first two games, TE Brent Celek has just nine catches for 102 yards in the last 3 games. That's mainly because he's been staying in to block more. DeSean Jackson has a team-high 24 receptions, but just one touchdown. Jeremy Maclin has 46 receiving yards in the last two games.

Lions

Calvin Johnson is averaging seven catches and 106 yards per game, but has found the end zone just once after catching a league-best 16 TDs last season. TE Brandon Pettigrew is one of the league's better all-around tight ends. But he's got a team-high five drops and his blocking has been inconsistent.

Pick: Lions

Offensive line

Eagles

This unit continues to be up and down. The unforced errors that offensive line coach Howard Mudd so loathes continue to be a problem. With two new starters at C and LT, the Eagles really need second-year RG Danny Watkins to start playing well, but he still looks lost much of the time.

Lions

The starting five have been together for three seasons and play well. LT Jeff Backus is 35 and C Dominic Raiola is 33, but they still have tread left. They are an excellent pass-blocking unit, though they gave up five sacks to the Vikings in Week 5. RT Gosder Cherilus has been this unit's steadiest player.

Pick: Lions

Eagles

307.2 yards per game (8th)

Lions

315.8 yards per game (9th)

Defensive line

Eagles

The Eagles have just seven sacks, none in the last two games. They were credited with 25 hurries by the coaches in the last two games, but failed to register a sack in successive games for the first time since 2010. They need to get better push from their DTs so QBs can't step up to avoid the DE's wide-nine rush.

Lions

This unit has underachieved so far. DT Ndamukong Suh has not been the force inside he was the previous 2 years. And DEs Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch have combined for just 3 1/2 sacks. Absence of injured DT Corey Williams has allowed teams to focus more attention on Suh.

Pick: Even

Linebacker

Eagles

The Eagles haven't been nearly as good against the run with WLB Akeem Jordan out, but he is expected to play. After holding the Steelers to 3.6 yards per carry in the first half, the Eagles gave up 96 yards on 20 carries in the second half. The Lions like to throw the ball to their RBs and TEs.

Lions

Stephen Tulloch has been the perfect MLB for Jim Schwartz's wide-nine, but has been bothered by tendinitis in his knees. The Vikings were able to control him with a fullback 2 weeks ago when Adrian Peterson rushed for 102 yards. OLB DeAndre Levy is the weak link on this unit.

Pick: Even

Secondary

Eagles

Three weeks ago, the Eagles tried to play Larry Fitzgerald straight up and that didn't turn out well. They won't make the same mistake vs. Calvin Johnson. They'll likely bracket him with a safety or linebacker. The days of QBs being reluctant to throw at Nnamdi Asomugha (12 catches allowed) are over.

Lions

This unit will get a big boost with the return of safety Louis Delmas, who missed the first four games after having knee surgery. The Lions have struggled vs. the pass. They don't have any interceptions, and while they've only given up eight completions of 20 yards or more, they're 26th in completion percentage (66.1)

Pick: Eagles

Eagles

Eagles are ranked 25th in punt coverage and 28th in kickoff coverage. Nine of Alex Henery's 16 returned kickoffs have gained 36 or more yards. Eagles' unproductive return game - 28th in punt returns, 30th in kickoff returns - has regularly left the offense with a long field.

Lions

The coverage units have been a major liability. They've already given up four touchdown returns, including two in their seven-point, Week 4 loss to the Vikings. They rank 31st in kickoff coverage and 32nd in punt coverage. PK Jason Hanson is still going strong at 42. He's converted 12 of 13 field goals.

Pick: Lions

Domo's prediction: Eagles 31, Lions 20

1. Eagles RG Danny Watkins vs. Lions LDT Ndamukong Suh: This is the type of matchup that will either boost Watkins' confidence or destroy it. Advantage: Lions

2. Eagles CBs Nnamdi Asomugha/Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson: Johnson is one of the game's best receivers. Eagles likely will use bracket coverage to help their corners with him. Advantage: Lions

3. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy vs. Lions MLB Stephen Tulloch: McCoy's cutback skills are going to pose a major problem for Tulloch and rest of the front seven. Advantage: Eagles

Hot

Eagles: DE Brandon Graham. Graham had a team-high 5 QB pressures in just 11 pass-rushing opportunities vs. Steelers.

Lions: RB Joique Bell. Had six catches for 72 yards in the Lions' loss to the Vikings before the bye.

Not

Eagles: DE Jason Babin. Has no sacks and just four QB hurries in the Eagles' last two games.

Lions: QB Matthew Stafford. Has thrown just 3 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions in four games.