Our Eagles at Lions predictions for Week 8

The Eagles (2-5) are on the road to face the Lions (0-7) on Sunday at Ford Field.

To the predictions:

Reuben Frank (6-1)

The one thing I look at with this Eagles-Lions game is this: The Lions have gone six straight games without scoring 20 points. That’s the 5th-longest streak in the NFL in the last 20 years. They’ve scored just nine touchdowns in their last six games, they've recorded just 10 plays of 25 yards or more all year and they’re 26th overall at 5.1 yards per play. This is a terrible offense, and the Eagles may have a bad defense, but my prediction is based on the assumption that Jared Goff is about half as good as Pat Mahomes, Tom Brady, Dak Prescott and Derek Carr. Those four put up an average of 36 points. Half that is 18. And I think the Eagles can score 19 against the Lions’ 25th-ranked defense. I clearly took a very analytical approach to this one.

Eagles 19, Lions 18

Dave Zangaro (6-1)

I was tempted to pick the Lions in this game. I really was. But ultimately, the Eagles are just a better team. That’s not to say it’s a guaranteed victory; there are no guaranteed wins for this Eagles team. But the Lions haven’t scored 20 points since the opener and they’re 0-7 for a reason.

The Eagles’ backs are against the wall in this one. As much as folks made fun of Nick Sirianni’s plant-based messaging this week, his players still seem to be buying in and playing hard. Sure, the Lions have been playing hard. But so have the Eagles. And they have a better roster.

Eagles 27, Lions 19

Ray Didinger (6-1)

The Lions are 0-7 but they have been competitive most weeks. Last Sunday, they were 16-point underdogs to the Rams but they led most of the way before stumbling in the fourth quarter.

Coach Dan Campbell has kept the team together and playing hard. They executed an onsides kick and two fake punts in their near upset of the Rams. The Lions lack talent but not effort so they aren't about to roll over for the 2-5 Eagles. More likely, they see the Eagles as a very beatable opponent.

This is a scary game for Nick Sirianni's reeling team. Imagine the mood in the city on Monday if the Eagles actually lose to a winless team, but I see it much like the Carolina game with the opposing quarterback -- in this case Jared Goff -- making just enough mistakes to lose.

Eagles 23, Lions 20

Barrett Brooks (4-3)

Even though the Birds are facing a winless Lions team, the Lions aren’t a pushover The Lions have had the Ravens and Raiders on the ropes in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t finish. They have competed in every game and have really bought in to the philosophies of Dan Campbell. I played with Dan in my short stint with the Giants. He is definitely a motivator and hard-nosed coach, but he is going to lose this game.

Still, this will be a tough game for the Eagles to win because there will be revenge factors to motivate the Lions. Duce Staley and Dave Fipp will want to beat their former team and Halapoulivaati Vaitai will have a chip on his shoulder too.

All that won't matter. Because Eagles win in convincing fashion.

Eagles 28, Lions 17

Mike Mulhern (5-2)

The Lions seem poised to get their first win. They just went toe to toe with the Rams and pulled out every trick in the book to nearly pull off the upset. They were hungry and fought to the finish. Meanwhile, the Eagles look like they’re amidst an epic downward spiral. They wilted after an opening drive touchdown on the road against the Raiders, trailing at one point 30-7 before their classic late-game push against a disinterested defense. Yet, I feel like the Eagles will be the hungrier team on Sunday. They’ve been getting dragged through the mud this week and the head coach is being excoriated for his flower metaphor.

Surely, calls for major change would reach a fever pitch if Nick Sirianni’s club fell to the 0-7 Lions. But I think the Birds are still the better team in this matchup and they’ll be motivated enough to pull out a win, staving off the potential chaos (at least for one more week).

Plus, Jared Goff is 42-20 with Sean McVay as his head coach. He’s 0-14 with anyone else. I’ll play the percentages here.

Eagles 23, Lions 17

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