The Philadelphia Eagles open up their 2022-23 NFL season against the Detroit Lions, at Ford Field on Sunday, September 11th.
The Eagles had arguably the best offseason of any team in the NFL, acquiring:
- wide receiver AJ Brown
- cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Adding the likes of Hassan Reddick, and James Bradberry.
After an impressive draft, the Eagles quickly went from a playoff team to a dark horse Super Bowl team in one off-season.
Lions Standings
The Detroit Lions’ standings last year was 3-13-1, and drafted with the second overall pick edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions are a team in rebuild, and attempting to build a culture to change the fortunes that have been stuck with them for decades.
Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions Current Odds
As per most Detroit Lions games, the Lions come in as the underdog. The Lions are a +3.5 underdog in this matchup.
With how bad the lions were last season, and the improvement the Eagles have made this offseason the NFL betting odds are really showing faith that the Lions will be competitive in this matchup. Detroit currently holds a Moneyline of +190.
Philadelphia Eagles Current Odds
The Eagles are a -3.5 favorite to win, and with the expectations from the season, they should easily accomplish it with the complete roster they have assembled. One of the Lions vs Eagles Best Bets is also Eagles Moneyline as they come in with a Moneyline of -190.
Detroit Lions Strengths and Weaknesses
Lions Strengths
The Detroit Lions’ biggest strength of their team is their offensive line. The Lions have one of the best offensive lines, being able to protect Jared Goff, and establish a respectable run game with a great running back core that contains D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
Lions Weaknesses
The Lions’ biggest weakness is their defense, particularly their linebacking core. The Lions were one of the worst run defenses last year, as they could not fill in the gaps quick enough in the front seven, and allowed teams to run all over the last year.
Philadelphia Eagles Strengths and Weaknesses
Eagles Strength
The Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest strength is their running offense. The Eagles’ stats say they led the league in rushing last season, behind arguably the best running quarterback in the league in Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles also have a dynamic running back core led by Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell as well. The Eagles have improved drastically on the passing end, adding AJ Brown in the offseason, but still, they are the deadliest team running the football in the NFL.
Eagles Weaknesses
The Eagles’ biggest weaknesses are their linebackers and corners. The Eagles have done quite a bit to improve those positions, signing James Bradberry after Bradberry was released from the New York Giants, signing Hassan Reddick, and drafting Nakobe Dean to fill the linebacking spots.
It is yet to be seen if those are enough to fix those weaknesses, but if they are, expect the Eagles to be a dangerous team this year.
Team Season Forecast
Detriot Lions
The Detroit Lions’ season will be one all about culture and improvement. Nobody outside of Detroit will be expecting them to be anywhere close to the playoffs, but, it is important to see the development of the young players that they have like a rookie edge rusher in Hutchinson, and rookie wide receiver Jameson and build a team for the future under head coach Dan Campbell.
Lions’ Standings
If the Lions’ standings can improve to become the third-best team in the NFC North or win around seven games, it should be seen as a successful season in Detroit.
However, even if they do not, if there is a drastic improvement in the likes of Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, and Aidan Hutchinson this year, that can still be a successful season.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have quickly gone from returning to the playoffs as a real forecast to division-winning favorites in many eyes, and even possible Super Bowl contenders.
With this new-look team in Philadelphia, the expectations will be to improve on offense, and playoffs seem like a must at this point.
NFC Team
If one of the top NFC teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, begin to struggle, the forecast for the Eagles could be to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
What To Expect From This Matchup?
Expect more of the same from the Philadelphia Eagles offense from last season in this one. While the Eagles will likely be passing more this season, this first game will benefit them greatly on the rushing attack.
The Eagles’ stats show had the best rushing attack in the NFL last season, and the Detroit Lions were fifth-worst in run defense.
Lions Improvement
No matter how much the Lions have improved on the defensive ball in the offseason, it is still their biggest weakness, and the Eagles will likely exploit that big time.
Expect the Lions to make this game competitive, but the Eagles should be in the driver’s seat for the majority of this matchup.
Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles Prediction and Best Bests
The Eagles should win this game handily as the lions are continuing to rebuild, while the Eagles are continuously improving.
Expect the Eagles to dominate the running game, and try to make Jared Goff throw as much as possible. Lions vs. Eagles Best Bets are the Eagles to win and cover the spread if all things go according to plan.
NFL Pick: Eagles -4 (-110)
NFL Pick: Under 48.5 (-110)
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