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Detroit Lions: Welcoming Back an Old Friend in Week 5

By Russell S. Baxter

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz prior to action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz prior to action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions are riding a three-game losing streak. And they may not like who they see this Sunday as an old friend comes back to the Motor City once again.

The Detroit Lions opened the season with an exciting 39-35 road win at Indianapolis in Week 1, it’s been all downhill from there, though. So the last thing they need is to be reminded that their one-time head coach is doing okay with his latest employer.

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A year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles arrived in the Motor City on Thanksgiving Day and were plucked like turkeys. A 45-14 loss to Jim Caldwell’s club was certainly one of the low points of the season for Chip Kelly and company.

Now it’s Doug Pederson at the controls and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm. The Birds’ 3-0 start has been impressive in many ways but most notably on defense. Under one-time Lions’ sideline leader Jim Schwartz, the club has allowed a total of 27 points in three games. A year ago, the Eagles allowed 27 or more points in eight of their last 10 games.

Need more evidence? Only the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks have allowed fewer total yards per game in the NFL this season than the Eagles. Philadelphia ranks third in the league against the run, sixth vs. the pass and has allowed only two offensive touchdowns—including zero through the air.

Add in 10 sacks (three each by defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and defensive end Brandon Graham) and six takeaways (two interceptions by safety Rodney McLeod) and this is a unit playing superior football at the moment.

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Two years ago, Schwartz returned to Detroit as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator and the team rallied for a 17-14 win over the Lions. Is the coach getting ready for another happy homecoming this Sunday?

We shall see. But while plenty of eyes have been focused on rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and understandably so, it’s Schwartz’s defense that warrants even more attention and has been the catalyst for the fast start by head coach Doug Pederson and company.

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