It's the second game of the season, and the home opener for the Detroit Lions. Everybody's bitter about that Chicago game and most people at this point probably don't want to hear anymore about the controversy surrounding the loss. I'll get on a different topic and try to figure out just what Lions team will show up. The defensive powerhouse that, despite not having very good field advantage the entire game and giving up huge chunks of yards, slowed the Chicago offense by forcing turnovers or the offense that was supposed to be the apparent strength of this team?

The Eagles have a defense, and a pretty good one at that. Sure, they have ex-Lion WLB Ernie Sims starting for them and he overpersues way too much, but outside of him they're solid all around. The offense is a question mark now with their starting center and probowl fullback on IR and Mike Vick under helm, he had a decent game at home with the loss to Green Bay doing what Mike Vick does, but on the road against an angry and improved Detroit defense might not be the best situation for him. The Detroit defensive line will wreak havoc on the interior of that offensive line, they will absolutely have to double team Suh and when they do, the ends will be free to put a hurtin' on Vick. He can run all over the field like he normally does, but he won't be able to throw downfield if he has constant pressure on him and bracket coverage on his two receivers. I think the Detroit offense will be ok without Stafford because Jahvid Best will come out of his shell this time around. Even with Shaun Hill, we have the playmakers on offense to get the job done. The defense of Detroit, including the secondary, was much better than advertised against a tough Chicago team on the road. I believe with the confidence of knowing they won in Chicago and the anger of knowing it was taken away, it will be enough to put away an Eagles team who might've lost their identity after McNabb left town.

I'm going with Detroit to win this game, with the Detroit defensive line once again doing their thing and proving they might be the best in the division. Eagles will score points with Vick and their defense willl make some plays, but it won't be enough to hold down the angry Detroit Lions at home. Calvin redeems himself against Asante Samuel by out leaping him like he did last week against Zack Bowman, except he knows better this time around and holds on to this one.  

Philly 17 - Detroit 20