Inside the Iggles
FanSided

An exclusive interview about the Lions with Jeff Risdon of “Side Lion Report”

By Geoffrey Knox

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nov 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Devin Taylor (98) and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) during the third quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Lions win 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Devin Taylor (98) and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez (3) during the third quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Lions win 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Inside The Iggles: The Eagles got spanked the last time these two met. What do you attribute that loss to, and what are the chances of a repeat performance by Matthew Stafford and company?

Risdon: The last meeting was last Thanksgiving, which is significant timing for both teams. The Lions were building momentum after switching offensive coordinators, a change to Jim Bob Cooter that continues to pay dividends. The Eagles were coming off a 45-17 home loss to Tampa and had to play a hot, very focused and relatively healthy Lions team in what is traditionally the most important game of the season in Detroit. The Chip Kelly fatigue was tangible along the Eagles sideline from before the kickoff, too. 

The biggest negative for the Eagles in that game was Eric Rowe trying to cover Calvin Johnson with no help. But there were other issues which strongly favored Detroit too. The Lions dared Mark Sanchez to try and beat them over the top. DeMarco Murray kept running into his blockers when trying to cut back every run instead of taking what was there. Ziggy Ansah destroyed Dennis Kelly for 3.5 sacks. Not one of those guys is involved in this game on either side, to Detroit’s detriment and Philadelphia’s massive benefit.

Home/Eagles News