Eagles Hope To Not Look Like Turkeys Against Lions On Thanksgiving
By Kevin McGuire
After two striaght losses at home, the Philadelphia Eagles hit the road on a short week to take on the Detroit Lions in a traditional Thanksgiving afternoon game. This is the second straight year the Eagles are playing on Thanksgiving, and they will do so this week against the team that has made a tradition of playing on Thanksgiving like no other.
Season Record
The Detroit Lions have won two straight games, against the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland Raiders. Detroit had won just once in the previous eight weeks of the year, putting the Lions at 3-7 heading into the Thanksgiving game. thanksgiving has seen its share of tough moments for the Lions over the years, but Detroit has won the last two seasons on Thanksgiving. The Lions are 35-38-2 all-time on Thanksgiving.
Just for the record, the Eagles are 6-0 all time on Thanksgiving. The Eagles shutout Detroit in the 1968 game, 12-0. The Eagles have an average margin of victory of 16.7 points per game, including a pair of shutouts of the Lions and Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles played on Thanksgiving last year in Dallas, winning 33-10.
Lions on Offense
Stopping the run should come rather easily for the Eagles, one would hope. After being shredded by Doug Martin and Tampa Bay, the Eagles this week will take on the NFL's worst rushing offense. Detroit is averaging just 71.1 rushing yards per game. Former Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah has the ability to break a big play at any moment, but the Lions fail to provide much opportunity to do so. Abdullah has 284 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Of course, the Lions offense begins with franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has led the NFL's eight-best passing offense. Playing form behind typically leads to more passing opportunities, but regardless, Stafford has 2,607 passing yards and 15 touchdowns with a mediocre at best passer rating. Stafford has been intercepted 12 times and has been sacked 26 times so far. Points have also come at a premium for much of the season. Detroit is averaging just 18.1 points per game and they have won each of the last two scoring just 18 points in each.
Lions on Defense
Detroit is giving up 27.4 points per game, but has held each of its last two opponents to 16 and 13 points, respectively. The low scores allowed have been as surprising as anything around the NFL in recent weeks, considering Detroit has been torched at times by Kansas City (45 points) and Arizona (42 points) and Chicago (34 points). But it is not a complete shock. Detroit earlier this season held Seattle to 13 points. Only two teams in the NFL are allowing more points per game than the Lions (San Diego, New Orleans). Detroit's total defense is ranked 20th in the NFL (five spots ahead of the Eagles), and forcing turnovers is not quite their expertise. Detroit has 11 takeaways this season, which is tied for 24th in the NFL. The four interceptions turned by the defense are tied for the fewest in the NFL with New Orleans, Seattle and Baltimore.
Detroit's Players to Watch
RB Ameer Abdullah: On Sunday, the Eagles were shredded by speedy and nimble Doug Martin of Tampa Bay. This week, they face a young running back with the ability and potential to break loose. He has yet to do that this season though, but maybe the Eagles defense will be just the right opponent for him to break through for a big gain or two (or seven).
DE Ezekiel Ansah: Detroit's leader with eight sacks will go up against an Eagles offensive line that has been a mess in the trenches. Look for the Ghana native to cause problems as he looks to bring pressure on the edge.
Outlook
We have moved well beyond the point of being able to suggest the Eagles should win any game, and that includes this game. As bad as Detroit has been at times this season, the Eagles have not done nearly enough to suggest they should be an easy favorite this Thursday. That said, the Eagles could not have a better opponent standing in their way as they look to shrug aside two straight losses. The Lions have really been struggling on offense and the Eagles should have some advantages at key spots this week. A short week may troublesome for the Eagles considering how many problems there are to address, or perhaps it will help to rush right into preparing for the next game. At this point, it really is anyone's guess.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
