As the Detroit Lions try to avenge an embarrassing blowout loss from last Halloween, here are three key matchups for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The dawn of a new NFL season is finally upon us. The time has come for the optimism that filled fans during training camps to either be vindicated or to turn to disappointment. Optimism has flowed to incredible highs for the Detroit Lions, especially over the last few weeks. Fans are excited to see what 2022 has in store for the Lions and whether the rebuild is headed in the right direction.
The Lions’ season will start against a foe that humiliated them just a season ago: the Philadelphia Eagles. It was Week 8 last season when the Eagles marched into Ford Field and kicked the Lions up and down the field, bludgeoning them by a score of 44-6.
Detroit is obviously hoping for a much-improved effort this time around. There are plenty of reasons to believe it can happen. There is a ton of young talent in Detroit that hopefully helps the team take the next step in the rebuild process. However, the Eagles are also one of the more complete rosters in the NFC. They will provide a difficult Week 1 test for these Lions.
Can the Lions reverse their fortunes against the Eagles this time? Here are three key matchups to keep an eye on this week.
Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 3 key matchups for Week 1
Matchup 1: Lions interior defensive line vs Eagles interior offensive line
Back in the aforementioned Halloween clash between these two teams, the Eagles ran the show, literally, with 236 yards on the ground via 46 attempts (5.1 yards per carry). They also turned 19 of those rushes into first downs. The Lions’ defensive front, and front seven, got pushed around all day.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts only threw the ball 14 times for them to put up 37 offensive points last season. Stopping the run is of paramount importance to slow the Eagles’ offensive attack, including containing Hurts as a runner (71 yards on seven rushes in last year’s matchup).
The Lions invested heavily in the edge rusher position this offseason, but the middle of the defensive line remains a question mark. With Levi Onwuzurike’s status up in the air, it seems like Alim McNeill will anchor the 3-tech spot, with a combination of Isaiah Buggs and newly claimed Benito Jones occupying the nose tackle role. Michael Brockers and Aidan Hutchinson will certainly factor into the interior defensive line equation as well.
If Detroit can’t get stops on first and second down, it’s going to be another very long day against the Eagles on Sunday.
Matchup 2: Lions C Frank Ragnow vs. Eagles DT Jordan Davis
The last time Frank Ragnow played a healthy season, he was Pro Football Focus’ second-highest graded center and named second-team all-pro. Having him back healthy is incredibly important to this team, as he’s the best player on the roster. In his first regular-season action in almost a year, he’s going to have his hands full.
Lining up opposite Ragnow on Sunday will be rookie defensive lineman Jordan Davis. The 13th overall pick out of Georgia is a unicorn of an athlete, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 341 pounds while also having a level of athleticism that makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Jordan Davis has currently tested as the most athletic defensive tackle in the #RAS database, with his 20 split unofficial.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Most nose tackles skip the agility drills, and if he's done, then he's top dog. pic.twitter.com/AF995HJWmk
How Ragnow holds up against Davis will become an intriguing storyline in this game. Davis has routinely pushed people around in preseason and in training camp when not double-teamed. If Detroit can get away with not giving Davis extra attention, it frees up everyone else to focus on the rest of the Eagles’ very good defensive line.
How important is this matchup on Sunday? Pro Football Focus has highlighted it as the matchup to watch in the Lions-Eagles game.
"Jordan Davis is one of the most interesting players to watch any time he is playing. He is a singularly unique athlete who can overwhelm even elite athletes with his sheer size and power. What will determine how good he will be is consistency. Frank Ragnow, one of the best centers in the game, will test him in his NFL debut. Ragnow hasn’t allowed a sack over his last 758 pass-blocking snaps and has improved upon his PFF run-blocking grade each year of his career."
Matchup 3: Lions CB Jeff Okudah vs. Eagles WR Devonta Smith
Everyone that has spent even a little bit of time following the Lions over the last 12 months is aware of the Jeff Okudah story. In Week 1 last year, hoping to start off on the right foot after a brutal rookie year, Okudah blew out his Achilles and missed the entirety of the 2021 season.
This year, it’s the same script, Okudah is getting another shot to put his career back on track. He worked his tail off to be ready for the start of camp, then he battled for a starting job at outside corner. Now it’s the next phase, he needs to put together a strong opening act for this season. With Amani Oruwariye likely handling the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown, Okudah will be tasked with facing second-year wideout Devonta Smith.
Smith had a strong rookie season in 2021, finishing fourth among rookies in receiving yards (916), sixth in receptions (64), fifth in targets (104), and tied for fourth in touchdowns (five). Smith is looking to fully breakout this season. With Brown being brought in by the Eagles to compliment him and take the spotlight off him, he will have ample opportunity to take advantage of more favorable matchups.
For Okudah, this game is all about confidence. If he can have a good first game of the year, the mental part of the game will start clicking and his talent can come out. While one game isn’t going to fully define 2022 for Okudah, it would be nice for him to start his third season on the right foot.