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Eagles vs. Lions predictions for Week 11 of the NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles (7-2) are hosting the Detroit Lions (6-3) at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday Night Football.

Let’s get to the predictions:

Reuben Frank (6-3)

I’m not sure how good the Lions really are. They’re 6-3, but four of their wins are over the 4-5 Ravens, 2-7 Browns, 3-6 Bengals and 3-7 Commanders. Their two quality wins are over the Bears and Bucs, both at home. They’ve lost in Kansas City and Green Bay – two places the Eagles have won – and they lost at home to the Vikings, who the Eagles beat in Minneapolis. Since 2022 – the second year as head coach for both Dan Campbell and Nick Sirianni – the Lions are 18-16 vs. winning teams and the Eagles are 28-9. Now, none of this guarantees anything this weekend. The Eagles have really just played one game – the second Giants game – where they were clicking in all phases. And that’s a team that fired its coach a few weeks later. The Lions have won games by 31, 24, 22 and 15 points. The Eagles have one win by more than seven points. That Lions offense is loaded and their defense is exceptional. They’re one of only three teams – along with the Chiefs and Seahawks – ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in both offense and defense. For the record, the Eagles are 23rd on offense and 18th on defense. How can they even compete with the Lions? Do they even belong on the same field as the Lions? How can they beat this team? I have no idea. But they always find a way and I figure they will Sunday night as well.

Eagles 28, Lions 27

Dave Zangaro (7-2)

This was the hardest game for me to pick all season and it got even harder when the final injury reports were released. Because the Eagles are at full strength, while the Lions are missing several key players. The Eagles absolutely have the ability to be the Lions and getting this game at home should be a huge boost. I just don’t have enough confidence in the Eagles’ offense to pick them in this game. So for the first time all season, I’m picking an Eagles loss.

Is there a chance the Eagles finally turn it on offensively and keep pace against a team that features one of the best offenses in the NFL? Sure, there’s a chance. But I need to see it. They were able to win with 10 points last week but that won’t get it done in this game. I don’t think the Eagles are going to win out so it’s about trying to find where the losses might come. This is a really tough game between two NFC opponents. So if the Eagles lose this one, there’s a good chance they’ll get another crack at the Lions down the road.

Lions 30, Eagles 26

Barrett Brooks (7-2)

This is truly the game I have been anticipating since the schedule came in April. The Lions were the team I thought would challenge the Birds last year in the NFC Championship Game. This should be the clash of the titans. We have two of the best coaches in the NFL with Nick Sirianni and Dan Campbell. I played with Dan a year with the Giants. He was a coach back then, helping the Giants staff keep rookie TE Jeremy Shockey on the straight path.

The potential of the Lions’ offense is so explosive. This will be Vic Fangio’s hardest test this year. The Eagles must stop a Lions’ rushing attack that features two really explosive backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and Davis Montgomery. Stopping the run will be No. 1. The defense’s biggest priority then will be to make Jared Goff uncomfortable. If you rattle him in the pocket, you can get him out of his game. Offensively, I don’t know what team will show up. If this becomes a scoring frenzy, I don’t know if we can keep up. We don’t run the ball well and we don’t throw the ball well. The offense must step up to have a chance to continue to try to get the bye week with the No. 1 seed. Yes, we won by scoring 10 points in Week 10, but we can’t sustain that type of offensive production.

Lions 24, Eagles 21

Mike Mulhern (7-2)

It sure doesn’t feel like the Eagles are 7-2 and atop the NFC. Especially after A.J. Brown’s latest comments, though the star wideout made some valid points about the offense’s struggles. Yes they’re winning, but that can’t mask everything. He’s backed up by history, too. Since 2009, only three teams that finished outside the top 10 in total offense won the Super Bowl and none were lower than 17th. The Eagles are currently 23rd. They’ve got a long way to go on that side of the ball to be Super Bowl caliber. The good news is they face a slate of defenses down the stretch that can be had, beginning with the Lions on Sunday night.

With no Terrion Arnold, Detroit will be hard pressed to try to man up against the Eagles receivers. Jalen Hurts has been super cautious, but he’s going to have to let it rip in this game to match points with the Lions prolific offense. Coming off a short week win in Lambeau, this isn’t a great spot for the Eagles. The Lions are a physical team out to prove they’re the top dogs in the NFC. In the end, Vic Fangio will do just enough to force Jared Goff into a costly mistake that will prove to be the difference.

Eagles 31 Lions 30

Ashlyn Sullivan (6-3) 

My prediction is this will be a close, incredibly competitive, and aggressive game from both teams. The Eagles’ defense has become reliable and makes the biggest play when it is needed most in the game – Vic Fangio has this unit playing at a high level with a lot of surprise and options to throw at an opposing offense. All that to say, I don’t think this Eagles defense is going to be able to slow down a Lions offense that is averaging 31 points per game, the best in the league. Lions quarterback Jared Goff is playing out of his mind this season, leading the league in completion percentage and second in the league in passing touchdowns. The Lions are going to get their points. The Eagles offense (gulp) is going to have to play at the level we saw them play against the Vikings and Giants this season, their best offensive performances of the year. I think this game comes down to the wire and home field advantage will come into play. Eagles win a close one and improve to eight wins on the season.

Eagles 33, Lions 31