Free Press sports writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions‘ game Sunday at Ford Field against the Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m., Fox). The Lions are 0-7. The Eagles are 2-5.
Jeff Seidel
So far this season has been a kick in the pants to the Lions. One of them was an NFL record that bounced through the uprights. Another just sailed right through their hearts. But this team has kept fighting. I don’t know how the Lions will get to 24 points. Maybe, another trick play. Maybe, a defensive score. But they will finally get their first win. Pick: Lions 24, Eagles 21
DRAFT TALK: Here are the Detroit Lions’ best options for No. 1 pick
Carlos Monarrez
Two bad offenses. Two bad scoring defenses. Two bad teams. Who wins? I have to pick the Lions because they’ve been playing well and are coming off an impressive loss — if there is such a thing — against the Rams in which effort, execution and coaching almost made up for injuries and a lack of talent. The Eagles are a train wreck and have played poorly in their past two losses that were blowouts before they used garbage time to apply lipstick to those pigs. There’s also a quarterback controversy brewing with Jalen Hurts struggling and Gardner Minshew waiting in the wings as the new backup after Joe Flacco’s trade to the Jets. Pick: Lions 26, Eagles 21
CARLOS EXPLAINS: Lions, with nothing to lose, can win ugly against Eagles. Handily.
Dave Birkett
If the Lions can’t beat a bad Eagles team at home, with some of the turmoil going in Philadelphia, it does not bode well for their chances of winning many other games this year. The Eagles are kind of a mess, with Fletcher Cox calling out defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon for misusing him on screen plays and Nick Sirianni going deep with a gardening metaphor. The Lions have played above their talent level at times this year and desperately need a win to feel good going into next week’s bye. Their recipe for getting one is to put the ball in D’Andre Swift’s hands as much as possible, and don’t let Jalen Hurts beat them with his legs. Pick: Lions 23, Eagles 17
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Shawn Windsor
They have to win one of these, right? They have to get the lucky bounce, make the play, bring tears of joy to their coach. Dan Campbell deserves a win. He finally gets it. Pick: Lions 23, Eagles 16
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