Philadelphia, PA – In a gritty, low-scoring affair that epitomized the NFL’s brutal defensive battles, the Philadelphia Eagles edged out the Detroit Lions 16-9 on Sunday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field. Jalen Hurts’ signature 1-yard “tush push” touchdown just before halftime proved to be the game’s lone score from the end zone, propelling the Eagles to their fourth straight win and solidifying their grip on the NFC’s top seed at 8-2. For the Lions, now 6-4, the loss highlighted ongoing offensive woes despite a stout defensive showing that kept the contest close until the final whistle.
This Eagles vs. Lions matchup, a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship thriller, lived up to its billing as a heavyweight clash between two NFC powerhouses. But unlike their high-octane predecessors, Week 11’s edition was defined by turnovers on downs, missed opportunities, and elite defensive stands—making Hurts’ sixth rushing touchdown of the 2025 season the pivotal moment that tipped the scales.
First-Half Fireworks: Eagles Build Lead, Lions Claw Back
The game kicked off with Philadelphia asserting early dominance on defense. Cornerback Cooper DeJean snagged an interception off Lions quarterback Jared Goff—tipped by defensive tackle Jordan Davis—and returned it 21 yards to set up the night’s first points. Kicker Jake Elliott nailed a 27-yard field goal at the 9:47 mark of the first quarter, putting the Eagles up 3-0.
Momentum swung further in Philly’s favor in the second quarter. After forcing a punt, Elliott connected on a 34-yard field goal at 6:06, extending the lead to 6-0. Detroit responded swiftly, however, as wide receiver Jameson Williams ignited the Lions’ sideline with a 40-yard touchdown catch-and-run from Goff at 5:12. But a post-score unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Williams wiped out the extra point, keeping the score knotted at 6-6.
Enter Jalen Hurts. On a methodical 10-play, 64-yard drive capped by contributions from running back Tank Bigsby (long run) and wideout A.J. Brown (key reception), Hurts bulldozed into the end zone on his patented tush push with just 17 seconds left in the half. The conversion pushed Philadelphia ahead 13-6—a margin that would loom large in the scoreless third quarter.
Third and Fourth Quarters: Defensive Dominance Decides Fate
The second half was a slog for offenses on both sides, with defenses dictating the tempo. The Eagles’ unit, led by newcomers like edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (his first sack as an Eagle on Goff) and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (multiple fourth-down stops), forced five Lions turnovers on downs alone. Highlights included Ojomo stuffing running back Jahmyr Gibbs on 4th-and-1 at the Detroit 48 and a collaborative stop with Jalyx Hunt on a failed fake punt at the Lions’ 43.
Detroit’s defense mirrored the effort, limiting the Eagles to just 183 total yards through three quarters and holding star running back Saquon Barkley to a pedestrian 2.8 yards per carry. They bent but didn’t break, forcing Philadelphia into field goal range repeatedly.
The fourth quarter brought the drama. After another Eagles defensive stand near midfield, Elliott drilled a career-long 49-yard field goal at 10:20, stretching the lead to 16-6. The Lions mounted a late rally, marching 39 yards for a 54-yard field goal by Matt Prater at 2:03, trimming the deficit to 16-9. But Philly’s clock management—bolstered by a crucial pass interference call on Brown for a third-and-8 conversion—sealed the deal, as the Eagles ran out the clock on their final drive.
Key Stats and Standout Performances in Eagles vs. Lions
This lackluster offensive battle underscored the teams’ defensive prowess, but individual efforts shone through:
Eagles Highlights:
- Jalen Hurts (QB): 15/22, 142 yards; 1 rushing TD (his sixth of 2025). Efficient in the red zone, though the passing game sputtered.
- Jake Elliott (K): 3/3 on field goals (27, 34, 49 yards), accounting for 9 of Philly’s points.
- Cooper DeJean (CB): 1 INT, 21-yard return—game-changing early turnover.
- Jaelan Phillips (DE): 1 sack, 1 QB hit; disruptive presence in his Eagles debut.
- A.J. Brown (WR): 4 receptions, 68 yards; drew a game-sealing PI penalty.
- Team Defense: 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 forced turnovers on downs; held Lions to 3.0 yards per carry.
Lions Lowlights:
- Jared Goff (QB): 13/29, 228 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Struggled under pressure, especially on fourth downs (0-for-5 conversions).
- Jameson Williams (WR): 5 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD; explosive but penalized post-score.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB): 4 receptions, 74 yards; just 8 rushing yards on 5 carries amid offensive line woes.
- Team Offense: 0-for-5 on fourth downs, including four turnovers; averaged 3.0 yards per carry.
- Team Defense: Stellar in containment (Eagles: 217 total yards), but couldn’t overcome offensive miscues.
What It Means for Eagles and Lions in the NFC Playoff Race
For the Eagles, this victory extends their win streak to four and cements their 8-2 record, two games clear of the Lions in the NFC East and atop the conference standings. Head coach Nick Sirianni praised the “elite defensive effort,” which has now held opponents to under 20 points in three straight games. Next up: A road test against the surging Cleveland Browns in Week 12.
The Lions, meanwhile, drop to 6-4 and face questions about their offense’s reliability heading into a divisional clash with the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Dan Campbell lamented the “self-inflicted wounds” on fourth downs, but lauded a defense that “gave us every chance.” With injuries mounting, Detroit will need to regroup quickly to stay in the NFC North hunt.
As the NFL playoff picture sharpens, Hurts’ lone touchdown reminds us: In the trenches of a defensive slugfest, one push can roar louder than a pride. Stay tuned for more Eagles vs. Lions analysis, NFL Week 11 highlights, and Jalen Hurts touchdown breakdowns.
