Eagles Defense Dominates in 16-9 Win Over Lions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jalen Hurts’ short rushing touchdown and a dominant Eagles defense powered Philadelphia to a 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. Despite offensive struggles, the Eagles capitalized on Detroit’s repeated fourth-down failures. The win puts Philadelphia at 8-2 and strengthens its push for NFC dominance.
Eagles vs. Lions Recap: Quick Looks
- Jalen Hurts scored the lone touchdown for the Eagles on a 1-yard QB sneak.
- Philadelphia’s defense shined, forcing turnovers on five Detroit fourth-down attempts.
- Jake Elliott contributed three field goals, including a 49-yarder.
- Detroit’s Jared Goff struggled, completing just 14 of 37 passes.
- Star WR A.J. Brown had seven catches amid ongoing role concerns.
- Eagles move to 8-2, strengthening their Super Bowl contention status.
- Detroit’s offense sputtered, converting just 3 of 13 third-down chances.
- Cooper DeJean recorded his first regular-season interception for Philadelphia.
Deep Look: Eagles Rely on Defense to Secure 16-9 Win Over Lions
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles proved once again that a championship-caliber defense can carry the load, even when the offense fails to shine. In a sluggish, low-scoring affair, the Eagles leaned on their defense and a critical first-half touchdown from quarterback Jalen Hurts to secure a 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night.
The win pushed the Eagles to 8-2, giving them the second-best record in the NFC and keeping them firmly in the race for home-field advantage during the playoffs.
While Hurts’ stats were modest — throwing for just 135 yards and rushing for a 1-yard score — it was his leadership and the Eagles’ defensive line that proved decisive. Hurts capped a second-quarter drive with a touchdown on the now-familiar “tush push” play, giving the Eagles a 13-6 halftime lead.
But the real story of the night was Philadelphia’s swarming defense, orchestrated by veteran coordinator Vic Fangio. Defensive linemen Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis combined for five batted passes, and newly acquired Jaelan Phillips recorded a sack, five tackles, and four quarterback pressures in a disruptive performance.
“One of the best performances I’ve ever seen,” Hurts said of the defense postgame.
Lions’ Offense Falls Flat Under New Play Calling
Detroit came into the game averaging over 31 points per game, but their offense faltered repeatedly under new play-caller Dan Campbell, who took over from offensive coordinator John Morton. The change in leadership didn’t help: the Lions failed to convert on five fourth-down attempts and went just 3-of-13 on third down.
The most damaging misstep came in the third quarter. After a 42-yard connection between Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs set up a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line, the Lions walked away with nothing after failing to score on four consecutive plays.
“It’s a good defense,” Goff admitted, after completing just 14 of 37 passes for 255 yards and a late touchdown.
That lone touchdown came on a 40-yard strike to Jameson Williams, who earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for an over-the-top celebration. The penalty pushed back the extra point attempt, which kicker Jake Bates missed.
Eagles’ Offense Stalls but Makes Key Plays
Despite the lack of big plays, Philadelphia did enough to win. Running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 83 yards, and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for just 57 receiving yards.
Still, Jake Elliott’s three field goals — from 27, 34, and 49 yards — gave the Eagles the cushion they needed.
Barkley nearly scored in the second quarter, but a 5-yard touchdown run was overturned after review. Hurts punched it in two plays later, giving Philadelphia the game’s only touchdown.
A.J. Brown’s Role Remains Under Scrutiny
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has voiced frustration about his diminished role in recent games, was targeted early and often. He finished with seven catches for 49 yards, an improvement over last week’s quiet showing in Green Bay, where he was targeted just three times.
“It was me trying to help contribute, that’s all,” Brown said, standing by previous comments while also supporting the team.
Young Star Shines Again on Defense
Cornerback Cooper DeJean, who made headlines last year with a Super Bowl interception return touchdown on his birthday, notched his first regular-season interception by picking off a Goff pass in the first quarter. The turnover led to a field goal, helping the Eagles build early momentum.
Injury Report
- Lions: All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph missed his fourth straight game due to a knee injury.
- Eagles: Star offensive lineman Lane Johnson left the game at halftime with a foot injury after battling an ankle issue in last week’s game.
What’s Next
- Lions (6-4): Host the struggling New York Giants next Sunday.
- Eagles (8-2): Head to Dallas for a critical NFC East showdown with the Cowboys.
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