NFL Panic Meter: Eagles offense, Lions defense are big problems for 2 marquee NFC teams - Yahoo Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions are facing significant early-season struggles due to injuries and personnel issues. The article analyzes the specific challenges facing both teams, including poor offensive performance and defensive lapses.
Why it matters
It provides sports fans with an assessment of the current competitive landscape in the NFL for two previously high-performing teams.
The two powerhouse teams in the NFC two seasons ago were the 15-2 Detroit Lions, and a Philadelphia Eagles team that went on to win a Super Bowl.
The NFL moves fast. It's only four games into this season but the Eagles and Lions both look incredibly flawed, for different reasons. The Eagles can't move the ball and the Lions can't stop anyone. Both teams can blame injuries, though there are personnel issues too.
The Eagles played most or all of Sunday's game against the Rams without running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring), receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), tight end Dallas Goedert and right tackle Lane Johnson (personal reasons). That's arguably the Eagles' three best skill-position players and their best lineman. Without them they gained 172 yards, averaged just 3 yards per play and blew a 10-point lead in the final five minutes. Not great.
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