Not long ago it looked like the Eagles were bound to have a happy Thanksgiving in Detroit. But last week Chip Kelly’s Eagles got embarrassed in Philly by the visiting Buccaneers, 45-17. And a Detroit Lions team that couldn’t previously find the end zone or its pride surged to beat the Oakland Raiders after an unexpected win against the Green Bay Packers, a division rival believed to be in a different class. Now it’s a 3-7 Lions squad on a two-game win streak that’ll host the 4-6 Eagles (losers of two straight) — and the two teams suddenly don’t feel so far apart.
[Chip Kelly IQ Quiz: Think You Know The Eagles Coach?]
The Lions have better numbers than the Eagles this season in time of possession and passing yards. Detroit also has a better third down conversion rate than the Eagles (35.1% to 33.6%). My-way-or-highway Eagles coach Chip Kelly, whose controversial off-season moves made waves, has been here before with his Eagles. In 2013 the team went 3-5 before winning 7 of 8 to claim the NFC East title. The Lions may revert to their earlier form and help start the Eagles on a similar streak — there was little to foretell the Detroit turnaround and it could be short-lived. But if Kelly can pull out of Detroit with a win there won’t be nearly so much talk in Philly about who is the real turkey. (Most bookmakers have the game at even.)
