Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Matchup Preview (10/31/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Matchup Preview (10/31/21)
This game is shaping up to be a bit of a dumpster fire, as the 2-5 Philadelphia Eagles prepare to play the 0-7 Detroit Lions.
Both teams are coming off 10+ point losses. Although these two are a combined 2-12, they’re also 7-7 against the spread (ATS), with Detroit even boasting more ATS wins than losses.
I can best characterize the Eagle sand Lions as frisky. Dan Campbell has the Lions fighting hard, while Jalen Hurts often leads the Eagles to unlikely back-door spread covers (See: Buccaneers).
However, it’s hard to project how this particular game will pan out. The Lions are currently sitting as 3.5-point home underdogs. I love betting home dogs, but is this one going to cover?
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Betting Odds
I think the Lions can definitely cover this game, if not win outright.
The Lions are not a good team, but they seem to be bigger than the sum of their parts. They’ve lost two games to 50+ yard field goals as the time expires — against the Ravens and the Vikings.
For all of their faults, the Lions have a decent offensive line. They rank 19th in adjusted line yards and 13th in PFF’s rush blocking grades. Jamaal Williams and De’Andre Swift have had some success rushing behind the line, and Jared Goff has generally had enough time to work through his progressions.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have been terrible at the line. Philly ranks 29th in defensive adjusted line yards and 29th in PFF’s rush defense grades.
There aren’t many teams that Detroit has an advantage over, but they have an advantage in this one area. Given that, 3.5 points, playing at Ford Field, and a better quarterback (I think), the Lions will get their first win on Halloween.
My Predictions: Lions +3.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
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You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, October 31
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
TV Coverage: FOX
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Live Stream
Where can you watch Eagles vs. Lions online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Eagles vs. Lions Free Online Now.
Injuries
Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Harris (Q), Javon Hargrave (Q), Devonta Smith (P), Miles Sanders (D)
Detroit Lions: Trey Flowers (Q), TJ Hockenson (Q), D’Andre Swift (Q)
Philadelphia Eagles Analysis
The Eagles are just a mess. This team had so much offensive promise with Hurts under center, but Nick Srianni’s vision has panned out quite yet.
However, the Eagles have played a very difficult schedule. Things start to get easier from here on out, and that starts with the winless Lions this week.
Hurts isn’t super efficient, as he ranks just 22nd among quarterbacks in EPA per play. However, I was surprised to learn he’s made a whopping 17 Big Time Throws this season, which trails only Tom Brady, Kyler Murray, and Derek Carr.
But he’s also made nine Turnover Worthy Plays, which luckily have only translated into four interceptions.
His offensive line hasn’t helped him out much. He’s tied with Sam Darnold for the most dropbacks under pressure, and he’s completed just 38% of his passes in those situations. However, he’s been surprisingly effective under pressure, making 11 Big Time Throws to just 2 Turnover Worthy Plays and recording a 5:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
But when the pocket is clean and he’s not being blitzed, he’s been surprisingly jumpy, throwing all four of his interceptions. He’s prone to making bone-headed decisions, like this one:
Jalen Hurts gift wrapping Terry’s son interceptions I’m actually sick pic.twitter.com/6dOs213frk
— 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻 🪖 (@DotsByDaniels) September 28, 2021
This is a bottom-10 defense by almost every advanced statistical measure, and they’ve allowed the sixth-most points in the NFL as a result.
As mentioned above, the front seven has been super ineffective, and they’ve been unable to stop the run or get to the quarterback. But again, they’ve played against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in his short season, and things get easier this week with Jared Goff.
Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart
QB: Jalen Hurts
RB1: Miles Sanders
RB2: Boston Scott
WR1: Devonta Smith
WR2: Jalen Reagor
WR3: Quez Watkins
TE1: Dallas Goedert
TE2: Zach Ertz
Detroit Lions Analysis
It’s fun to watch the Lions cover against the Rams, Vikings, Ravens, and others. But despite their seemingly successful season, it hasn’t translated into wins yet.
However, dig into the Lions a bit deeper and you’ll discover a very unfortunate fact: The Lions are very inefficient.
Detroit ranks 20th in EPA per play on offense and 29th in EPA per play on defense. They grade out as PFF’s 29th best team, and the Lions have received PFF’s worst coverage grade by quite a bit.
That’s predictable, however, as with Jeff Okudah hurt, the Lions do not have the secondary needed to keep up with anyone. That unit is talentless and depthless, and it’s shown on the field.
Jared Goff has been similarly ineffective. But the offense has been picked up, marginally, by the rushing game.
The most impactful Lions player has been De’Andre Swift, who has managed 42 receptions on the season for almost 10 yards per reception. He’s been excellent on screen plays and coming out of the backfield, and he’s starting to run more routes than expected.
De'Andre Swift follows up this catch with a strong TD and a BIG 8 fantasy points for his managers. 🔥pic.twitter.com/JXWszUYsJ5
(Via @NFL)— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) November 15, 2020
Detroit Lions Depth Chart
QB: Jared Goff
RB1: De’Andre Swift
RB2: Jamaal Williams
WR1: Tyrell Williams
WR2: Amon-Ra St. Brown
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Darren Fells
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Daily Fantasy Picks
As such, my top DFS play for this game will be Swift.
Like mentioned, the Eagles’ front seven has been bad. The injury to Brandon Graham hasn’t helped at all. So, I believe Swift is in for a huge day.
Specifically, through the air. The Eagles have allowed the third-most pass attempts per game to running backs this season, and swift has accumulated the second-highest Target Marketshare on the team this season (20%). Last week, that number popped to 31%, and I believe Goff looks Swift’s way a lot this Sunday again.
Look for Swift to gain at least 100 scrimmage yards and lead Detroit to their first victory of the season.
- Bills @ Rams
- Saints @ Falcons
- Browns @ Panthers
- 49ers @ Bears
- Steelers @ Bengals
- Eagles @ Lions
- Colts @ Texans
- Patriots @ Dolphins
- Ravens @ Jets
- Jaguars @ Commanders
- Giants @ Titans
- Chiefs @ Cardinals
- Raiders @ Chargers
- Packers @ Vikings
- Buccaneers @ Cowboys
- Broncos @ Seahawks
