James Hawkins, John Niyo, Justin Rogers and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer predictions for Sunday’s Lions-Eagles game at Ford Field (1 p.m., Fox/97.1).
► James Hawkins: If the Lions are going to finally find themselves in the win column, this is as good a week as any. Jalen Hurts accounts for a large percentage of Philadelphia’s offensive production, and he isn’t exactly lighting the league up. The Eagles’ defense has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards this season, which means D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams could be busy. But the one thing working against the Lions has been their tendency to follow up a competitive showing with a lackluster one. Eagles, 24-17
► John Niyo: The table is set for a Lions breakthrough. Jalen Hurts is playing like a young quarterback who’s not ready for all of this, relying on single-read pass plays and regularly bailing out of the pocket early. That’s good news for an injury-riddled Lions secondary. So is the fact the Eagles’ defense just got picked apart by Derek Carr and the Raiders. Lions, 24-20
► Justin Rogers: Since the Eagles blew out the Falcons in Week 1, they’ve stumbled to a 1-5 record their past six contests, only besting the Panthers behind two interceptions by former friend of the program Darius Slay. In coach Nick Sirianni’s first season, Philadelphia finds itself in the bottom half of the league in both scoring and points allowed, so if you can find a way to make quarterback Jalen Hurts beat you with his arm, you’ve got a chance. The Lions proved capable of slowing down the NFL’s premier dual-threat QB’s running ability when they held Lamar Jackson to 57 yards on eight carries. If they can similarity execute that game plan against the Eagles — sans the blown coverages and 66-yard game-winning field goals — they’ve got a real shot to get off the snide. The main question, like most weeks, is can the offense score enough? I know, I can’t believe it either, but for the first time this season, I’m taking the Lions. Lions 20, Eagles 17
► Bob Wojnowski: This could be the week, right? I mean, right? The Eagles are 2-5 and coach Nick Sirianni and QB Jalen Hurts are under fire. Hurts actually is their leading rusher, so the Lions’ depleted secondary should catch a break. Philadelphia plays a basic defense with minimal blitzing, which should give Jared Goff a little time to find whoever’s lining up at receiver this week. The Lions’ spirited effort in L.A. is completely wasted if they don’t crank it up again. They don’t need more fake punts, just more touches for D’Andre Swift, and maybe a touch of luck. Oh yeah, I’m calling it. Lions, 27-23