Detroit Lions absolutely throttled in blowout loss to Philadelphia Eagles

The Detroit Lions looked like a team more focused on the upcoming bye week than one prepared to get their first win of the season on Sunday. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions failed to do literally anything right. The offense continues to find no rhythm of any time, and the defense still looks far too inexperienced to content.

For almost the entire day, the Eagles just ran the ball against the Lions—racking up a season high for them (212 after three quarters, I stopped counting after that). Detroit was dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball, failing to establish a run game and protect Jared Goff, while the Lions defense provided almost no pushback to an Eagles offense that had struggled in the leadup to this game.

The Lions will go into the bye week still winless, and unfortunately, they’re going to have to sit on this bleak performance for two weeks, before they come out of the bye to play the Steelers.

Here’s how the game happened.

First quarter

The Lions won the toss and wanted the ball first. After a decent return, Jared Goff kicked off the drive with an 18-yard strike to T.J. Hockenson. But that would do it for the drive, as Hockenson dropped a third-and-5 catch that likely would’ve come up short, anyways. Jack Fox did nicely pin the punt inside the Eagles’ 5-yard line, though. Detroit’s defense got a quick three-and-out, though, giving the offense the ball back in Philly territory.

The Lions were able to pick up a first down thanks to rookie Jermar Jefferson’s first NFL touch, but Detroit’s offense would stall from there. Austin Seibert’s 47-yard attempt drifted wide left, keeping the game scoreless.

Philadelphia took advantage of the good field position and attacked the Lions’ edges with a few misdirections plays and end arounds. In total, the Eagles picked up 37 yards on the ground in seven carries. The drive was capped by a 1-yard score from Boston Scott. 7-0 Eagles.

Detroit’s offense responded with a three-and-out after plays of 1 yards, -1 yards and a 12-yard sack.

The Eagles continued to find success on the ground, with 31 rushing yards on the next drive. However, Jalen Hurts failed to connect with Dallas Goedert on third-and-3, forcing the Eagles to settle for a 43-yard field goal. 10-0 Eagles.

Detroit had no response from their lifeless offense. Though they’d pick up a couple first downs, Goff was sacked for the third time to end the drive after the Eagles sent an all-out blitz Detroit wasn’t prepared for.

Philly continued their dominance on the ground with a little help from Jalen Hurts this time around. Two scrambles picked up 26 yards, and the Eagles would cap another scoring drive with a Jordan Howard 4-yard touchdown run. 17-0 Eagles.

Detroit had their chance to score some points with 2:51 left in the half. The Lions worked a very methodical drive, getting into Eagles territory. With 13 seconds left and facing a fourth-and-1 from Philly’s 22-yard line, Detroit opted to go for it over kicking a field goal and predictable failed to convert. They would end yet another half scoreless.

Third quarter

It was more of the same to start the second half. Detroit’s defense had an opportunity to get off the field early, but Hurts scrambled up the middle for 20 on a third-and-12. The Lions defense didn’t have an answer the rest of the drive, failing to even force another third down before Scott plowed in from the 3-yard line. 24-0 Eagles.

Detroit finally managed to get... a highlight with this 34-yard pickup to Amon-Ra St. Brown:

But Detroit only went backward from there and on fourth-and-11, Goff hurled a ball out of bounds.

The Eagles scored a touchdown after that. 31-0

Then they scored another one. 38-0

Some more stuff probably happened after that, but it doesn’t really matter.