Regression by aggression: Lions turn it over on downs five times in loss to Eagles

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Philadelphia — The honeymoon is over.

Heralded as the savior of the Detroit Lions offense after taking over play-calling a week earlier, coach Dan Campbell went from the penthouse to the outhouse on Sunday night when his relentlessly aggressive decision-making constantly backfired in a 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Lions (6-4) turned it over on downs five times in defeat, including three consecutive times to begin the second half. They also coughed it up on a failed fake punt in the second quarter.

It wasn’t just fourth down where Detroit had issues. The team was unable to convert a third down on their first five tries and finished 3-for-13 on the night.

The Lions also had a traditional turnover when quarterback Jared Goff’s pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and corralled by Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean on Detroit’s first possession of the contest. That resulted in the Eagles’ first points, a short field goal.

Detroit’s defense did everything it could to keep the team in the game. The unit repeatedly held the Eagles (8-2) out of the end zone, despite regularly facing short fields due to the offense’s game-long struggles.

The Eagles finished with 272 yards and converted just 4-of-15 third downs.

It was also the defense that delivered a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter, halting a tush push, which allowed the Lions to slice the lead to one score with 1:58 remaining.

However, the defense couldn’t get one more when it needed it most. On third-and-8, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin was flagged for pass interference, allowing the Eagles to run out the remaining clock.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 9:43 — Taking over deep in Detroit’s territory following an interception, the Lions defense limited the damage to a 27-yard field goal by forcing a three-and-out. EAGLES 3, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 6:02 - Benefitting from another short field after stuffing Detroit’s botched punt fake, the Eagles picked up a couple of first downs before stalling out in the red zone. The key play saw linebacker Alex Anzalone dumping running back Saquon Barkley in the backfield for an 8-yard loss. The Eagles settled for a 34-yard Jake Elliott field goal to extend their lead. EAGLES 6, LIONS 0

● 5:05 — Detroit struck quickly in response. After having the first pass batted at the line, Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for 34 yards across the middle before hitting Jameson Williams on a crossing pattern, which the speedster took to the house for a 40-yard touchdown.

After crossing the goal line, Williams was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for using the goal post as part of his celebration. That 15-yard infraction pushed the extra point try back 15 yards, and kicker Jake Bates sent the effort wide right. LIONS 6, EAGLES 6

● 0:16 — Taking over with five minutes remaining in the half, the Eagles methodically drove 64 yards in 10 plays to retake the lead before the break. They never faced a third down during the series, with the Lions allowing a 17-yard run on second-and-13 after Aidan Hutchinson lost control of his edge. With second-and-goal from the 1-yard line, the Eagles worked it across the goal line with a tush push. EAGLES 13, LIONS 6

Third quarter

● None.

Fourth quarter

● 10:15 — Wash, rinse, repeat. Another short field, more points for the Eagles.

Assuming control at their own 45-yard line after the Lions turned it over on downs, the Eagles overcame a pair of penalties to extend their lead to double-digits with a 49-yard field goal by Elliott. EAGLES 16, LIONS 6

● 1:58 — Taking possession in Philadelphia territory after stopping a tush push on fourth down, the Lions went backward via a sack and took a 53-yard field goal from Bates to make it a one-score game. EAGLES 16, LIONS 9

Turnovers

● Targeting wide-open tight end Brock Wright on Detroit’s opening possession, Goff’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by defensive tackle Jalen Carter and intercepted by nickel cornerback Cooper DeJean.

Injuries

● Tate Ratledge briefly left the game in the first half with a lower-body injury.

Key stats

● Goff had an awful night, completing just 14-of-37 for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

● Goff’s struggles were epitomized by St. Brown, who hauled in just two of his 12 targets, including none of the seven he saw on third and fourth down.

● Gibbs led the Lions on the ground and as a pass-catcher. His rushing production was modest — 12 carries for 39 yards — while he racked up 107 yards on five receptions with nearly all of the damage coming in the second half.

● Jack Campbell led the Lions with 14 tackles, including one for a loss. Hutchinson and Roy Lopez split the team’s lone sack.

Notable

● After seeing his playing time drop significantly in recent weeks, first-round draft pick Tyleik Williams got the start as part of a three-tackle personnel package, with Alim McNeill kicking out to the edge.

● The Philadelphia defensive tackle tandem of Carter and Davis batted down five of Goff’s passes at the line.

● Detroit had success defending the Eagles’ tush push, forcing two false starts and securing a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter when they stuffed it on back-to-back plays.

Inactives

The Lions listed the following players as inactive: Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, Quinton Jefferson, Mekhi Wingo, Craig Reynolds and Tom Kennedy.

Joseph (knee) and Arnold (concussion) were ruled out on Friday due to their injuries. The other four were healthy scratches. Kennedy, who was elevated from the practice squad a day earlier, wasn’t needed after rookie Isaac TeSlaa (oblique) was cleared by the training staff before the game.

Next game

The Lions return home for the first of three straight at Ford Field. They’ll open that stretch against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m.