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Lions at Eagles Preview: Can the Lions get their air attack on track?

Oct 13, 2012, 1:15 PM EDT

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LIONS (1-3) AT EAGLES (3-2)

By Football Night in America’s Elliott Kalb

Michael Vick lost two fumbles in the loss to Pittsburgh.  But Andy Reid is encouraged by the fact that Vick has gone three consecutive games without an interception—the first time that’s happened since starting the 2010 season with seven straight games without being picked.

Since 2010, the Eagles are 4-6 (.400) when Michael Vick commits two-or-more turnovers.  When he commits one or zero turnovers, they’re 14-6 (.700).

The Eagles have been consistently defending the long pass.  They’re allowing opponents to complete just 28 percent of their throws more than 10 yards downfield this season, best in the NFL.

The Lions have lost six of their last seven games on the road—including last year’s playoff defeat—averaging 36.6 points allowed per game.

The Eagles have beaten the Lions in six consecutive games, including playoffs.  Philadelphia won the last matchup on September 19, 2010, by the score of 35-32.

After beating St. Louis in Week 1, the Lions have lost three straight games, allowing 91 points in that stretch.

After the bye week, the Lions start a difficult stretch in which four of five games on the road—in Philadelphia, Chicago, Jacksonville and Minnesota.

Calvin Johnson ranks second in the league with 105.8 receiving yards per game, but has only one touchdown.  Last season, he had 16 touchdowns.

Matthew Stafford has three touchdown passes in four games, after 41 last season.

Stafford said that the Lions have seen a lot of defenses with two deep safeties, essentially focusing on taking away the big play.  But since the Eagles have two of the best cover corners in the league in Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie, the Lions might see more single coverage this week.

Titus Young (knee) practiced this week and should play Sunday.  He has disappointed with only nine catches on the year, but coach Schwartz believes “anytime you miss practice time and you’re a young player, it’s going to impact…when you’re a young player, [you lose] just the sync of the offense and things like that.”

While the Lions’ pass defense has allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the league (852 yards), they are one of two teams (Oakland) that has zero interceptions.  And opposing quarterbacks are completing 66% of passes against them, the seventh-highest rate in the league.

Starting safety Louis Delmas—who had knee surgery in August—is expected to make his season debut.

In their last game, the Lions became the first team since at least 1940 to give up a kickoff and a punt return for touchdowns in consecutive games.  Lions coach Jim Schwartz, though, shot down any chance of him firing special teams coordinator Danny Crossman.  “No, that’s not a consideration,” Schwartz said. “There’s physical plays we have to make.”

After 100 yards in his NFL debut in Week 3, Mikel Leshoure was held to just 26 yards on 13 carries in Week 4.  Kevin Smith hasn’t carried since Week 3 but is averaging four yards per rush.  And Jahvid Best (concussion) underwent neurological tests this week and could come off the PUP list on Monday; the Lions’ running back situation could get muddled.

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