Another Primetime Matchup Between Some of the NFC’s Best

The Green Bay Packers' loss on Monday night propelled the Detroit Lions to the top spot in the NFC North. Ironically, the Lions will now face the Philadelphia Eagles—the very team that helped them climb to first place. A Detroit win in Week 11 would be a huge statement in the NFC playoff race, but what are the odds they can take down one of the best teams in their conference? The Eagles and Lions have met 36 times, with Philadelphia leading the all-time series 18-16-2. Detroit hasn’t played at Lincoln Financial Field since 2019, and under the Jalen Hurts-Nick Sirianni era, the Lions are 0-2 against the Birds. This Sunday at prime time, the Eagles will be working to keep their dominant reputation, while the Lions will have a chance to prove that their rise wasn’t just a coincidence.  

​Philadelphia’s Momentum

The Eagles are 7-2 and on a three-game winning streak. The offense hasn’t performed as dominantly as it did last year, but Hurts has continued to lead efficiently. Hurts has thrown 16 touchdowns this season with just one interception. He leads the team with five rushing touchdowns, while Saquon Barkley leads the team in rushing yards. Barkley has been less productive than he was in 2024, but has been building momentum in recent games. DeVonta Smith has been the most dominant receiver for the Birds this season and has proven to be especially useful with his contested catches. Last game, he caught a 36-yard touchdown pass over Packers’ safety Evan Williams, and his matchup with Detroit’s corners will be one to keep an eye on. Tight end Dallas Goedert and AJ Brown are also key offensive weapons, but Philadelphia’s defense has carried most of the load this season. Though the secondary hasn’t yielded many turnovers this season, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have limited teams to a 58.9% completion rate, the third lowest in the league.

​Detroit’s Familiar Formula

With a 6-3 record, Detroit is working to restore its momentum. Last week against the Commanders, the offense clicked as head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling. The effects of his calls were immediate: 546 total offensive yards, eight consecutive scoring drives, and zero punts. Jared Goff looked confident and notched three touchdown passes with 320 yards while the running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery dominated on the ground. Montgomery recorded 71 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Gibbs put up 142 on the same workload. The pattern this season has been clear—Detroit rushed for over 100 yards in their six wins, and they’re 0-3 when they rush for less than that. That formula will be tested by an Eagles defense that can be opportunistic when exploiting ground-game vulnerabilities. As for the passing attack, Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown are key threats to the Eagles' secondary. Last game, they combined for 177 yards, and on the season, they’ve combined for 12 touchdowns.

​Lions Offensive Line vs. Eagles Pass Rush

Sunday’s key matchup will be Detroit’s offensive line against the Eagles' pass rush. The Lions' line, typically a strength, faces tests from injuries—left guard Christian Mahogany is out, and tight end Sam LaPorta is questionable. The Eagles have 10 sacks in their last three games, up from nine in their first six. New edge rusher Jaelan Phillips impressed in his debut. If he and the defensive front maintain this pace, Goff and the Lions' run game could struggle.  

​Predictions and What’s at Stake

Both teams seem to be firmly in the playoff picture, but the stakes seem higher for Detroit. A Philadelphia win would solidify a strong playoff seeding and prove that they remain the team to beat in the NFC. The Lions, however, are 13-3 in primetime games under Dan Campbell, which speaks volumes to their ability to rise to the occasion under the lights. Expect a hard-fought, physical matchup between two teams that are both aggressive and confident in short-yardage and fourth-down situations. I would give Philadelphia the edge at home this week, but don’t be surprised if the game comes down to the final drive.