A huge NFC clash takes place on Sunday Night Football in Week 11 when the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Detroit Lions. Philly goes for a fourth straight win and cover as a slight 2.5-point favorite in NFL betting odds. The game kicks at 8:20 p.m. ET on November 16 from Lincoln Financial Field and will be televised on NBC.
Lions at Eagles Preview
The Lions have already lost more games than they did all of last season, but they are a better team because of the health of their defense. They haven’t finished a season ranked inside the top 10 in total defense since 2014 but currently boast the 7th best unit allowing 294 yards per game. They also have the fourth-most sacks in the NFL led by Aidan Hutchinson with 7.0.
Offensively the Lions remain prolific with their abundance of playmakers. They amassed 546 yards in last week’s 44-22 win over Washington, avenging their playoff loss. They lead the NFC averaging 31.4 points and are 4th with 6.1 yards per play. Jared Goff leads all QBs with a 117.7 rating and is second with 20 TD passes.
- The Lions covered the 8.5-point spread in last week’s win over the Commanders for their sixth payout in their last eight games.
- Detroit rebounded from a Week 9 loss to Minnesota and hasn’t dropped consecutive games since the middle of the 2022 season, going 41-11 since then.
- The duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs has combined for 1,159 rushing yards and 13 TDs.
- At plus-6 the Lions are tied for the 5th best turnover margin.
Noticing an area of concern on defense, the Eagles swung a deadline deal with Miami for Jaelan Phillips. And the move paid off immediately. On Monday night Philly’s defense looked like the dominant group that carried them to a Super Bowl title last year holding the Packers to 261 total yards and not allowing a point until late in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles have been doing enough offensively to win 7 games and match the best record in the NFC. However, more is needed from Jalen Hurts and the group for another run. Hurts had 183 passing yards against the Packers, the fifth time he’s been held to under 200 yards. He does have 16 TD strikes and has been picked just once.
- An offense that averages 24.2 points has been bolstered by the NFL’s best red zone percentage. The Eagles score 81 percent of the time inside the 20.
- Phillips was a force in his team debut with 6 tackles, 2 QB hits and a fumble recovery. He was also in on a fourth-and-1 tackle late in the game that sealed Philly’s third straight win.
- After rushing for more than 2,000 yards last season, Saquon Barkley has just 579 yards with a 3.4 yards per carry average for the 21st ranked ground game.
- The Eagles have payouts in three straight games and six of their last eight.
Lions at Eagles Predictions
Detroit’s offense is maybe the most well-balanced in the NFL with a top 10 ground and air attack. Philly did a number on Green Bay, but the Lions have playmakers and an underrated defense. The Eagles have been too inconsistent offensively which is why I’m leaning toward the Lions and the points.
Lions at Eagles Betting Tips
- Philadelphia is a 2.5-point favorite on the early NFL betting line with a moneyline price of -147.
- Detroit is 0-2 SU and ATS this season when playing as a road dog.
- The Lions opened at +128 on the moneyline.
- The Lions have payouts in six of their last eight games.
- The total surfaced at 47.
- The OVER is 3-1 in Detroit’s last four road games.
Lions at Eagles Head to Head and Key Stats
- The teams last played during the 2022 season with Philadelphia earning a 38-35 road win, their second straight.
- The last meeting in Philadelphia occurred during the 2019 season with the Lions winning 27-24.
- The last nine matchups have gone OVER the closing total.
- Goff is 0-2 in two starts against the Eagles as Detroit’s starting QB averaging 218.5 passing yards in those games.
