Every week during the regular season Tim Twentyman will answer 10 good questions from his X account @ttwentyman in a feature we call "10 Questions with Twentyman."
20man: I think it's key Sunday night to stop the Philadelphia Eagles' run game. If the Eagles can get Saquon Barkley going early, it will fix a lot of the problems Philadelphia's had on offense this season, particularly in the pass game.
Philadelphia is only averaging 191.7 yards per game passing. They are averaging just 111.8 rushing per game after averaging 179.3 last season because teams are really focusing on stopping the run and making quarterback Jalen Hurts and the passing game beat them. That's been the most inconsistent component of their offense all season.
That should be the plan of attack for the Lions. Try to limit Barkley, which is no easy task, and make Hurts and an inconsistent passing attack beat them to score points.
20man: Some of the versatility I saw in the run game against the Washington Commanders stood out to me. The zone run looks looked much better last week with opportunities for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to cut back on the back side of the play. It should also be noted that Washington wasn't a highly ranked defense, so let's see what it looks like this week.
I thought Campbell was creative in the run game and gave his running backs space and opportunities to use their vision to create opportunities for big runs.
I also thought utilizing Jameson Williams on crossers based on the Commanders coverage on Amon-Ra St. Brown was brilliant by Campbell too. He got everyone involved offensively. This is the most dangerous offense in the league when that happens and they keep the defense guessing what comes next.
20man: It's a good question. DeVonta Smith (657) and A.J. Brown (408) have combined for over 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns on the season despite some of Philadelphia's inconsistencies in the pass game. That's a formidable pair on the outside.
We'll have to see if the Lions are shorthanded at cornerback as Terrion Arnold continues to work through the return-to-play concussion protocol. I talked to D.J. Reed on Wednesday and asked him how much time he'd need to get his feet under him returning to practice this week for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury Week 4, and he was emphatic he could be ready to go Sunday. He wants to play, but we'll have to see what the injury report says Friday.
The Lions are going to play a majority of base defense and match up in man, and they like their odds against anyone defensively. They have depth and they've proven they can win with it. Can the Lions pressure Hurts like they did Lamar Jackson Week 3 in Baltimore and contain him as a runner? That will be key to unlocking a lot of things they want to do defensively in the passing game.
20man: This is the best defense the Lions have faced so far and might face all season. I don't care what the stats say or the fact they're ranked 18th against the run. That's an elite defensive line group with one of the best defensive coordinators in the league in Vic Fangio. This will be a great test for Detroit's interior offensive line group.
It will be interesting to see how Campbell, offensive coordinator John Morton and run game coordinator and offensive line coach Hank Fraley decide to attack the Eagles in the run game. If Detroit can't establish the run early, it could be a long night against a defensive line that's gotten some reinforcements on the edge and can get after the quarterback if this becomes a one-dimensional Lions offense.
20man: I think describing it as a disaster is a little harsh. It hasn't been as elite as we've seen in the past, but Detroit still ranks 11th in opponent starting point after a kickoff (29.6-yard line), 15th in opponent punt return average (9.8), 11th in starting position after they return a kickoff (30.3-yard line) and ninth in net punting average (42.7).
Detroit's allowed a couple big kickoff returns of 40-plus yards the last couple weeks and that must be cleaned up. They are getting some players back from injury, and that should improve the talent level on special teams and hopefully clean some of that up. One big play on special teams could certainly be the difference Sunday with two good teams like Detroit and Philadelphia squaring off.
20man: Philly's offense has really struggled staying on the field and maintaining drives. They are 27th in the NFL on third down converting only 37.9 percent. Philadelphia has had a three-and-out offensively 29 times this year with 31.9 percent of their drives resulting in three and out, the highest percentage in NFL.
Philadelphia hasn't been great against the run statistically. Detroit must establish the run early. They've also got to get some explosives in the YAC department, which is easier said than done against a good tackling Eagles defense.
20man: I'm pumped that an Eagles fan joined the conversation.
I love what the Eagles have built in Philly. It a tough, versatile football team that isn't afraid of going out and improving by any means necessary when they see an opportunity to do so. They play physical, trench-orientated football and play it the right way. Campbell has a ton of respect for that football team and that means a lot coming from him.
They are the standard in the NFC as reigning Super Bowl champs. I love the matchup Sunday, and I think it's a measuring stick game for the Lions to see where they stand in the NFC.
20man: It's definitely the Lions. The Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champs. They have their ring and had their parade. That's what the Lions are still chasing.
Detroit's had a lot of success the last two years, but they've lost in the NFC Championship in 2023 and in the Divisional Round as the No. 1 seed last season. They still need to show they can take the next step.
20man: If Reed can make it back this week, that's the obvious choice. I think Rodriguez is trending toward returning this week after being a full participant in practice. I think he can have a huge impact on special teams and potentially work himself into some packages on defense.
20man: Avonte Maddox is a versatile defensive back who can play in the slot and at safety. He rotated in for some snaps at safety last week.
Detroit is playing nickel defense less frequently this season, with usage down to about 37.6 percent of snaps compared to last year's 54.5 percent. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard leans more on base defense and the versatility of linebackers Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. The league average playing nickel is around 60 percent.
I like Maddox and his skillset. He'll continue to be a plug and play player for Sheppard's defense.
