Eagles versus Detroit: 10 Lions that can fuel a Week 1 upset

The Lions are talented on offense. The Eagles’ defense will have its hands full.

The Lions finished 22nd in total offense in 2021, so they added D.J. Chark in free agency. They also added Jameson Williams during the 2022 NFL Draft.

The latter is out for at least the first four weeks of the regular season. He’s been placed on their reserve/non-football injury list. Detroit still has a few playmakers that can make things tough on the loaded Eagles defense. Here are a handful of guys to keep an eye on.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver

Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the game’s young playmakers, and he’d be getting a ton of attention if he didn’t play in the Motor City. He can play both outside or in the slot, so you could see him matched up versus Darius Slay, James Bradberry, or Avonte Maddox (or all three).

D’Andre Swift, running back

We knew D’Andre Swift could play when we watched him tear up the SEC as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs. His skills have translated to the pro game nicely, and with Duce Staley in his ear, he’s only going to get better.

T.J. Hockenson, tight end

One of the more vulnerable areas of Jonathan Gannon’s defense has been the second level. Opposing quarterbacks were often successful when targeting their tight ends. The tight ends were equally successful with what they attempted to do after the catch. T.J. Hockenson will help us determine if J.G.’s scheme is more adept in limiting said success and if those ills have been remedied.

Penei Sewell, right tackle

Taylor Decker deserves a mention here as well. He’s the left tackle and charged with protecting Jared Goff’s blind side. Penei Sewell is the right tackle (and the seventh-overall selection from the 2021 NFL Draft). He’ll spend much of his time battling Brandon Graham.