Three and Out: Lions struggling in heavyweight fights on the road, LaPorta's absence felt in Philadelphia
Allen Park — Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patterns emgering in losses
Remember when the Lions got run out of their own building against the Buffalo Bills last season? Despite rebounding from that manhandling with three straight wins to close out the season, securing a second consecutive NFC North Crown, there was a lingering feeling that defeat was more than a bad day at the office.
That 2024 team, particularly with its injury-depleted defense, didn’t have a good answer for a top-end dual-threat quarterback. Josh Allen abused them, paving the way for rookie Jayden Daniels to do the same in the postseason. He racked up 299 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added another 51 on the ground in Washington’s 45-33 slaughter.
This game wasn’t that. Detroit went toe-to-toe with the defending champs and hasn’t been overwhelmed in all three phases by any opponent. Still, there’s a growing pattern of concern this season regarding how the team handles big-time opponents on the road.
In losses to Green Bay, Kansas City and Philadelphia, Detroit’s offense has started slowly and struggled to operate once the team falls behind, particularly when they have to lean more heavily on the pass late in games and the opponent can pin its ears back and rush the quarterback.
Notably, all three of those opponents lean heavily on zone coverage. The same for the Vikings, who came to Ford Field and stunted Detroit’s attack, as well, although with more blitzing than those other three.