We’re a few hours away from the start of the 2022 NFL regular season, as the Philadelphia Eagles are in Detroit to take on an ascending Lions team featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ this summer.
The Eagles retooled defense will challenge Detroit’s offense as quarterback Jared Goff looks to prove that he can lead the organization through a rebuild.
On offense, quarterback Jalen Hurts will look to continue his improvement as a passer and start the season making sound decisions.
With the season opener fast approaching, here are five matchups to watch on offense.
Eagles OC Shane Steichen vs. Lions DC Aaron Glenn
Philadelphia limped into Detroit last season after an embarrassing loss to the Raiders that saw an inept rushing performance in Las Vegas.
Nick Sirianni flipped the Eagles’ offensive approach at Ford Field and recorded 236 rushing yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn thinks his defense is better equipped to stop the run this season after adding personnel like Hutchinson, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and safety DeShon Elliott, and getting cornerback Jeff Okudah back from injury.
The Eagles were the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL last season. Will the Birds start out rushing the football or targeting downfield passing opportunities?
Jordan Mailata vs. Aidan Hutchinson
Detroit’s rookie pass rusher will make his NFL debut, and while he’ll see action against both tackles, Jordan Mailata offers the most explosive challenge for former Michigan All-American.
Eagles A.J. Brown vs. Lions CB Jeff Okudah
Okudah played in just ten games the last two years due to injury, and he missed nearly all of the 2021 season after suffering an Achilles injury in Week 1.
Okudah beat out Will Harris for the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Amani Oruwariye, and he’ll get a heavy test on Sunday against A.J. Brown.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert vs. S Tracy Walker III, DeShon Elliott
Goedert is a star, and he’ll be a matchup nightmare for Tracy Walker and Deshon Elliott.
RB Miles Sanders vs. Lions LB Alex Anzalone-Malcolm Rodriguez
The Eagles picked up 236 yards on the ground in Detroit last season and did it without Miles Sanders.
With Sanders healthy for Week 1 this season after a hamstring injury limited him all summer, the season opener offers a huge opportunity for the former Penn State star to hit the ground running with positive momentum.
