The Detroit Lions are set to host Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 action at Ford Field, and it’ll be a rematch of the Eagles’ 44-6 win on Halloween last year.
The Lions have upgraded their talent on defense, and even with an ascending roster, they’ll debut against one of the NFL’s top overall rosters in the Eagles’ retooled defensive unit.
It’ll be the debut for several new Eagles, with Zach Pascal and A.J. Brown joining an already loaded offensive line.
With kickoff just hours away, here are three keys for Philadelphia’s offense in Week 1.
1. Eagles establishing an offensive identity
With A.J. Brown on the outside as wide receiver No. 1 and Zach Pascal and valid red zone option, the Eagles want to establish a deep passing identity.
Philadelphia ran Detroit out of Ford Field last season, firmly establishing an offensive identity centered around a versatile running game and the NFL’s top offensive line.
The owner and GM dream of a Justin Herbert-style passing attack, but Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have to take what Detroit offers, winning with efficiency rather than forced explosion.
2. Usage rate
A.J. Brown has tried to temper expectations for the Philadelphia offense, and it’ll be on Jalen Hurts to spread the football around efficiently.
The Eagles have four legit pass-catching options at wide receiver and a trio of talented running backs to pair with a top-5 tight end.
Spreading the football around while mixing in a generous dosage of the rushing attack gets the organization off to a balanced start, with Minnesota lurking in Week 2.
3. Red zone efficiency
Detroit allowed 27.5 points per game in 2021, 31st in the NFL, and it’ll be imperative for Philadelphia to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The Eagles will look to play fast, and even with just one series of game action all preseason, Philadelphia’s starters have looked sharp as a unit, and a massive outburst on the scoreboard will pay dividends down the road.
