Eagles football is now OFFICIALLY back!

It feels so good saying that for, like, the third time but actually meaning it this time. What better way to kick off the season than with the team they beat 44-6 last year?

Granted, the Lions are not the same team they were last year. The 3-13-1 team who ranked 29th overall just had an off year. But now, they picked up great defensive talent and are out for revenge.

Both teams have something to prove in Week 1. They are both out to make a statement. Right now, the Philadelphia Eagles lead the all-time series against Detroit, 17-16-2.

Now, Eagles fans – and football fans in general – tend to be over-analytical. It’s not our fault, we just happen to do it. But whatever happens in this first game both matters a lot and not at all. (Remember that Eagles-Falcons game last year? Remember how the rest of the season played out?)

Now that the Eagles are all in on Jalen Hurts, everyone needs to do their job. Jonathan Gannon and Nick Sirianni have to execute, too. There’s just as much pressure for them to succeed. The Eagles have the talent, it’s just a matter of putting the players in the best possible positions to succeed.

But on the other side of the field lies the Hard Knocks Detroit Lions, a team looking for a comeback season. This team picked up just as much awesome talent in the draft and offseason, so don’t expect the same easy win that you saw last year.

The Lions have a chance to win – seriously. If Gannon didn’t learn from last year’s tip-toeing style of defense (and how that didn’t work) then the Lions will read that offense from the jump. No bueno for the Birds.

We have passionate, defensive guys now. Guys that want nothing more than to get at the quarterback and snatch the ball. Aggressive play calling is the name of the game. Getting at the quarterback and playing man coverage are things that are going to disrupt the Eagles’ easier opponents in the first few weeks.

Injury Report:

Eagles

Derek Barnett (ribs) – unspecified

Jason Hargrave (toe) – unspecified

Miles Sanders (hamstring) – unspecified but reportedly “ready to go”

Josiah Scott (hamstring) – unspecified

Lions

Tommy Kraemer (back) – out

Levi Onwuzurike (back) – out

Frank Ragnow (groin) – doubtful

Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) – questionable

Julian Okwara (hamstring) – questionable

Chris Board (knee) – unspecified

John Cominsky (illness) – unspecified

Austin Seibert (right groin) – unspecified

Prediction: Eagles 31-21

There’s no doubt the Lions will come out swinging better than last year, but it probably won’t be enough to compete with the Eagles’ offense. For the defense, however, we have to wait and see how the team will compete against harder teams. Honestly, the Eagles should have a few “should-win” games these first few weeks, and the Lions will be one of those games.

The Eagles take on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, September 11, at 1:00 p.m. FOX and NFL Network will broadcast the game and fans can also tune in to 94.1 WIP Sports Radio.