Detroit @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2016 ) Philadelphia 23, Detroit 24

The Philadelphia Eagles are so banged up, coach Doug Pederson elected to cancel practice Wednesday and opt for a walk-through in preparation for Sunday's game against the visiting Detroit Lions. Among the injured are the club's top wide receivers - DeSean Jackson (groin) and Alshon Jeffery (calf) - along with running back Corey Clement (shoulder) and tight end Dallas Goedert (calf), with all four likely destined to watch the contest in street clothes.

"I don't want guys missing practice reps," Pederson told reporters about switching plans. "If we're going live today, there would be a few guys having to miss practice, and I don't want that." Philadelphia wide receivers Mack Hollins and JJ Arcega-Whiteside could have a chance to make more of an impact after combining for six receptions over the first two games. "They’re both great players in their own right, and obviously, DeSean is a different guy," Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz told reporters about Jeffery and Jackson. "We’re not going to ask (Hollins and Arcega-Whiteside) to be those guys. They’re going to be themselves. And so, we have a lot of confidence in what they do well." Detroit is off to a promising start with new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and longtime Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on the same page as Stafford told reporters: “I go into every game really comfortable. I know what he’s going to call, and now I’m just learning more and more when he’s going to call it. ... Got a lot to clean up, can obviously play better, but I’m enjoying it.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -6. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE LIONS (1-0-1): Stafford has completed 65.3 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and recorded his 28th career fourth-quarter comeback since 2009 - the most in the NFL during that span - with a 13-10 victory over San Diego last week. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay leads the team in receptions (12), yards (159) and TDs (two) after registering a career-high eight catches versus the Chargers. Cornerback Darius Slay had an interception and two passes defended last week and leads the league with 94 PDs since 2013 while safety Tracy Walker is coming off a career-high 10-tackle performance.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (1-1): Wentz (64.6 completion rate, four touchdowns this season) has averaged 275 yards with 30 TDs and six interceptions in his last 12 home contests. The running game is off to a slow start with Jordan Howard, who was acquired from Chicago during the offseason, gaining only 62 yards while the subject of trade rumors involving San Diego's Melvin Gordon. Safety Malcolm Jenkins recorded his 15th career forced fumble in last week's 24-20 loss at Atlanta - most among active defensive backs.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was 29-51 as Detroit coach from 2009-13 with Stafford, Slay, LS Don Muhlbach and P Sam Martin the only Lions remaining from that period.

2. Lions coach Matt Patricia last saw the Eagles as the Patriots defensive coordinator in Philadelphia's 41-33 victory in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, with Patricia telling reporters: "I personally try to not look back at that Super Bowl quite a bit.”

3. The Eagles lead the series (playoffs included) 16-15-2 but the Lions won the last two meetings in 2015 and 2016 - both in Detroit.

PREDICTION: Lions 24, Eagles 21