Nov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) celebrates a stop with linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
This story originally appeared on Inside The Birds.
PHILADELPHIA – Swirling, gusty winds descended upon South Philadelphia on Sunday, creating difficult circumstances for the Eagles and Lions for the NFL’s nightcap. But in a game that conjured considerable intrigue from an offensive standpoint, the prime-time matchup proved to be a defensive slugfest, with the Eagles winning the back-alley brawl and coming out on top, 16-9.
While the Eagles’ offense left much to be desired, Vic Fangio’s defense again answered the bell, delivering a turnover, pair of sacks and a flurry of pass deflections. For perspective, the unit collectively held the Lions’ ground attack to 74 yards on 21 carries. And quarterback Jared Goff, who went 14 of 37 for 255 yards and a touchdown, completed just 37.8% of his passes. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was the team’s offensive standout, accumulating 107 yards on five receptions (eight targets), with a long of 42 yards.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 14 of 28 pass for 135 yards, while adding another 32 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Saquon Barkley carried 26 times for 83 yards. The leading receiver was A.J. Brown, who secured seven of 11 pass targets for 49 yards.
Defensively, linebacker Zack Baun led the way with seven tackles, and Nakobe Dean and Jaelan Phillips each picked up a sack. For Phillips, it was his first sack since joining the Eagles, while Dean registered his second in as many games.
Inactive for the Eagles were QB Sam Howell (3rd QB), CB Mac McWilliams, RB AJ Dillon, OL Drew Kendall and DT Ty Robinson.
The Eagles elected for no practice squad elevations this week, as all 53 players entered Sunday night healthy.
Let’s get to the observations:
* Eagles OL Brett Toth, a graduate of West Point, led the Eagles out of the tunnel carrying the American flag. Awesome sight.
* The Lions won the opening toss and elected to defer, bringing on an Eagles offense squarely under the microscope to start. Reserve OL Fred Johnson opened the game as an extra offensive lineman. Hurts’ first throw of the game went to WR DeVonta Smith, who was unable to hold on following a hit from behind CB Amik Robertson. Dallas Goedert, with room to run, dropped the ensuing pass. The Eagles wasted little time involving WR A.J. Brown, who reeled in a 12-yard catch on the third play of the game to seemingly getting things rolling. A Lane Johnson holding penalty, however, halted all momentum, and the Eagles were eventually forced to punt. In all, the drive covered 18 yards in six plays.
* The Eagles’ defense picked up where it did a week ago in Green Bay. On a 1st-and-10 from the Lions’ 26, DT Jordan Davis got a hand up to deflect a pass that fell into the waiting arms of DB Cooper DeJean, who returned it 21 yards. The offense was unable to punch it in, forced to settle for a 27-yard Jake Elliott field goal, but the defense made Goff uncomfortable from the beginning. A week after generating six tackles, a forced fumble and a half-dozen pressures, Jaelan Phillips recorded his first sack since joining the Eagles, dropping Goff for a five-yard loss. While Phillips’ ability to turn the corner was impressive, the standout on that play was DT Jalen Carter, who flattened RG Tate Ratledge. Phillips provided consistent pressure throughout the evening.
* Curious decision from Dan Campbell – who usually leans on the aggressive side – to punt on a 4th-and-6 (became a 4th-and-11) in plus territory. Perhaps the conditions and personality of the game contributed to his traditional line of thinking, but I couldn’t help but wonder if the Eagles’ slow offensive start played a role. It’s worth noting that Campbell elected to go for it on a 4th-and-1 on the ensuing drive, with DT Moro Ojomo knifing through to stuff RB Jahmyr Gibbs for no gain. As I’ve written about, Ojomo has a flair for making plays in critical moments. Campbell’s reckless tendencies surfaced once again on the following drive, electing to direct snap the ball after showing punt on a 4th-and-2. The Eagles turned it into another three points.
* RT Lane Johnson exited with a foot injury, pressing Fred Johnson into service as his replacement. Much like last week, when Johnson was sidelined for most of the game, the Eagles didn’t scrap the jumbo package. Veteran Matt Pryor was elevated into that role.
*It felt like it was only a matter of time before a pass-happy offense tested the Eagles’ No. 2 cornerback. While it didn’t happen early in the contest, Goff targeted Adoree’ Jackson, who made his second consecutive start since the team returned from the bye week, late in the second quarter. Jackson was in coverage on Lions WR Jameson Williams on the 40-yard touchdown that evened the score. Williams was tagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty, which pushed back the extra point. Lions kicker Jake Bates didn’t come close.
* The Eagles put together an impressive 10-play, 64-yard scoring drive to essentially close out the half. The drive featured a perfect blend of run and pass and some sparsely utilized offensive components, such as TE Kylen Granson and RB Tank Bigsby. Bigsby, in fact, kickstarted the drive with a 17-yard run on 2nd-and-13. The energy he brings as a changeup is noticeable. Granson would also be targeted on a 3rd-and-5, but the pass was incomplete.
* The Eagles’ defense held the Lions to 0-for-4 on third down opportunities in the first half and 3 for 13 overall. Adding to the defensive dominance, Vic Fangio’s group held the dynamic rushing tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to 22 yards on nine carries.
* I’ve said this more than a few times this season, but FB/TE Cam Latu is an absolute force on special teams. Latu collected a solo stop in kick coverage and was in on multiple others and brings discernible physicality and urgency to teams. He also landed a quality block on the second quarter Saquon Barkley run at the goal line that set up the 1-yard Jalen Hurts plunge. Speaking of special teams, great hustle in getting downfield and seeking work from LS Cal Adomitis on multiple occasions, collecting a pair of stops.
* On the 3rd-and-1 false start penalty on RG Tyler Steen, the reply showed possible encroachment from DT Tyleik Williams, who might have been lined up in the neutral zone. Steen brushed his hands back, and Williams lunged across the line. Steen was noticeably animated once he realized he was the player flagged.
* Great situational awareness by Jackson on the 4th-and-3 third-quarter stand, using the back of the end zone to aid in squeezing WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and narrowing the throwing window.
*Strong outing from K Jake Elliott, who connected on field goals of 27, 34 and 49 yards in difficult conditions.
