Gunn's Bullet Points: Scouting Eagles-Lions

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As the Eagles prepare to face the Lions on Sunday afternoon in Detroit (see scouting report), Derrick Gunn checks in with his pregame bullet points.

• Doug Pederson says if Ryan Mathews' tender ankle holds up, the veteran will be the lead running back. But Kenjon Barner, who has the least amount of carries among the four-back rotation, leads the Birds' ground game with an average of 6.1 yards per carry.

• Brandon Graham is off to a great start. He's played 70 percent of the defensive snaps and is tied with Fletcher Cox for the team lead in sacks with three.

• Carson Wentz should have a good day throwing the football. Detroit's pass defense is ranked 21st in the league. Look for Wentz to go to his tight ends frequently because the Lions have allowed opposing tight ends to catch 24 passes for 257 yards. Detroit has also allowed tight ends to score six touchdowns this season, most in the NFL.

• Penalties have killed the Lions. They have been flagged 42 times and 39 have been accepted (third-highest total in league). The defense has been penalized for 15 of the 39 calls.

• Detroit has more penalty yards (370) than rushing yards (369).

• I thought because of his long relationship with Jim Schwartz that linebacker Stephen Tulloch would play more, but he's played only 15 percent of the defensive snaps (24 plays).

• Darren Sproles, who is 33, is averaging 9.6 touches a game.

• Even with cornerback Leodis McKelvin returning from a hamstring injury, rookie Jalen Mills could be pushing him for playing time. Mills has made very few mistakes and is a favorite of defensive backs coach Cory Undlin.

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