Eagles secondary has nightmare matchup with Lions Kenny Golladay

The Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary has been abused early and often. They will need to be much better if they hope to contain Kenny Golladay in Week 3.

Do not allow the betting line to sway you, despite being seven-point favorites at home, the Philadelphia Eagles‘ secondary will have their hands full against the Detroit Lions this week. This Lions team lacks the talent that Philly had prior to its’ injuries, but it has difference makers at key positions that can really hurt the Eagles. One of the most recognizable is their second-year wide receiver, Kenny Golladay.

Golladay has been a certifiable beast since entering the league and has affectionately been referred to as “Baby-Tron” by both the Detroit media and fantasy football crowds because of his size and strength.

Standing at six-foot-four and 215 pounds, he’s a player with the ability to outmuscle and outwork multiple defenders in coverage. He showed that most recently in Week 2 versus one of the better corners in the league in Casey Hayward.

That performance made Golladay Pro Football Focus‘ highest-graded player in the NFL‘s second week. If he can succeed against someone of Heywards caliber, it’s difficult to imagine any of the Eagles’ corners being able to match him one on one.

If the Eagles are going to be successful against Golladay they will, more than likely, need to have either Rodney McLeod or Malcolm Jenkins shadow him over the middle to aid their cornerbacks. Even then, Golladay threatens to be a tall order to manage for a young secondary that’s still growing into its own.

He has scored touchdowns in each Detroit’s first two games of the year and he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards during his rookie season in 2018.

Fortunately for Philadelphia, their rushing defense is producing well despite a rash of injuries. The Eagles run defense currently ranks third in the league, allowing just forty-two yards per game. If their defense can neutralize the Lions’ rushing attack and make them one-dimensional early on, they could predict the deep throws from Matthew Stafford much easier.

Getting a strong pass rush and neutralizing the run could prove to be the most effective way of inadvertently taking putting Golladay out of commission.