DETROIT — By all accounts, the Lions aren’t a very good football team.
The Eagles are worse.
Much, much, much worse.
To call Thursday’s loss ugly would be an insult to ugly things everywhere (see 10 observations).
The Eagles went into Ford Field on Thanksgiving and were completely bludgeoned by a team that had three wins coming into the day (here are the players on the loss).
The Eagles lost, 45-14. And it wasn’t that close.
It’s the first time in team history the Eagles have given up 45 points in back-to-back games (see story).
With the loss, the Eagles have now dropped three in a row to fall to 4-7. They’ve lost three consecutive games to the Dolphins, Bucs and now the Lions (here's Chip Kelly on the loss).
The Lions improved to 4-7 with the win.
The Eagles, coming off a beatdown at the hands of the Buccaneers, suffered a similar fate in Detroit. This time, it was at the hands of Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the Lions.
Stafford threw five touchdown passes; Johnson was the recipient on three of those. He became the seventh player since 1970 to have three touchdown catches against the Eagles.
First half
The Eagles had a chance to take an early lead, but Caleb Sturgis booted a 50-yard field goal off the right upright. Doink! That was an omen.
The Lions scored later in the first on an eight-play, 65-yard drive. That drive was capped by an ankle-breaking move by Theo Riddick on Mychal Kendricks.
The Eagles tied up the game at 7-7 on a tremendous effort from Brent Celek, who willed his way into the end zone after a short completion.
After that, the Lions took over. They ended up outgaining the Eagles, 194-91, in the first half.
At halftime, Stafford completed 17 of 25 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns for a passer rating of 131.8. For the Eagles, Mark Sanchez completed 8 of 14 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. The run game didn’t get going, though. DeMarco Murray had just 22 yards on 11 carries in the first half (more on Murray here).
Turning point
In the second quarter, after the Lions took a 14-7 lead, the Eagles got the ball back with a chance to respond.
Instead, they went three-and-out. Two incomplete passes and Sanchez was sacked.
The Lions got the ball back and kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 17-7 on the next possession.
Key stat
Stafford threw five touchdown passes. The Eagles are just the second team since the merger (1970) to allow five passing touchdowns in consecutive weeks, joining the 2014 Bears.
Offensive stud
Trey Burton had his first-career catch. It went for 43 yards and set up a touchdown. Yup, that was pretty much it. Oh, and Sanchez didn’t throw an interception.
Offensive dud
Murray had another terrible day. He ended the game with 14 carries for 30 yards. The offensive line was equally terrible, without Jason Peters, who exited the game early.
Defensive stud
Fletcher Cox played OK.
Defensive dud
For the second straight week, his unit was embarrassed, so this award goes to defensive coordinator Bill Davis. He was the one responsible for letting rookie Eric Rowe play one-on-one against Johnson.
Injuries
Sam Bradford (left shoulder) was inactive (see story). So were Zach Ertz (concussion) and Ryan Mathews (concussion).
Nolan Carroll broke his right ankle and left the game on a cart in the second quarter (see story). Peters (ankle) left in the first quarter and didn’t return.
Up next
The Eagles have some extra time to prepare for their next opponent. And they’re going to need it. They’re in New England to face the Patriots on Dec. 6 at 4:25 p.m.