The Philadelphia Eagles have clinched the Super Bowl title, and the big question now is: what can the Detroit Lions take away from the Eagles’ success to push them toward a championship of their own?
In the NFL, imitation is often the best form of flattery. Once the confetti settles and the Gatorade bath fades, other teams begin to look for ways to replicate the strategies of the Super Bowl champions. For the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles outplayed the Kansas City Chiefs in a commanding performance to claim the title.
The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, weren’t alone in falling short in the playoffs despite a 15-2 record, but unlike the Chiefs, the Lions never even made it past the starting gate. A quick elimination by the Washington Commanders dashed their Super Bowl hopes and left them as mere spectators when the Eagles took the title.
Looking at the blueprint behind the Eagles’ success, is there something the Lions can adopt? Both teams have distinct identities, but there are key elements that often lead to a championship. What do the Lions still need to reach the same level as the Eagles?
Here’s the big question: What do the Detroit Lions need to match the success of the Philadelphia Eagles?
My take: Pass rush.
When you examine the Eagles’ rise to the top, the similarities to the Lions are undeniable. Both teams have strong general managers – Howie Roseman for the Eagles and Brad Holmes for the Lions – who have built their teams with savvy draft picks. Both squads feature dominant offensive lines that anchor their offenses and fuel powerful run games. For the Eagles, Saquon Barkley leads the charge, while the Lions divide the workload between Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. On the receiving end, the Eagles boast A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, while the Lions rely on Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Tight ends like Dallas Goedert for the Eagles and Sam LaPorta for the Lions add further depth to their offenses. Both teams might also be losing their offensive coordinators if Kellen Moore departs for the New Orleans Saints.
On defense, while the Eagles rely on solid safety play from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship, the Lions’ Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are arguably the more elite pairing. Both teams feature former New Orleans Saints linebackers who’ve excelled in new environments, with the Lions’ Alex Anzalone and Zack Baun being notable names. The Lions also feature exciting young talent in Jack Campbell and Nakobe Dean, alongside their own early-round picks from the 2024 Draft in Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.
However, two major differences stand out between the Lions and the Eagles. First, Jared Goff and Jalen Hurts are polar opposites when it comes to mobility – something that no scheme can easily change. But that’s not a fatal flaw for the Lions. Goff had an outstanding season through the air, even outperforming Hurts in key statistical categories like passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and quarterback rating. The Lions lean on Goff’s arm, while the Eagles lean on Hurts’ legs. Both approaches can lead to success.
But for me, the glaring issue is the pass rush. While the Eagles put up 40 points in the Super Bowl, it was their dominant defensive line that truly set the stage. The Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times, forcing pressure and contributing to turnovers – all of which helped their offense thrive.
The core of that defense lies in their front line. While Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are solid players for the Lions, they lack the sheer depth and power of the Eagles’ defensive line. The Eagles’ pass-rush unit, featuring players like Nolan Smith and Josh Sweat, can rotate in multiple capable bodies, including depth pieces like Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt, to keep the pressure constant.
For the Lions, while DJ Reader is dependable as a nose tackle, he doesn’t quite match the explosive ability of the Eagles’ Jalen Carter or Milton Williams. The Lions are also facing uncertainty with Levi Onwuzurike, a pending free agent who has had a good year but whose future in Detroit is unclear.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ line can rely on multiple star players. The Lions, on the other hand, struggled to find consistent pressure. Marcus Davenport was limited by injury, Josh Paschal offers some stability but isn’t a game-changer, and Al-Quadin Muhammad is a free agent with a modest track record. Za’Darius Smith, though a solid midseason acquisition, is aging and unlikely to be a long-term solution.
The Lions were desperately short of depth, and unlike the Eagles, they couldn’t rely on an all-around effort from their defensive line to dominate. To match the Eagles’ success, the Lions need to bolster their defensive front, particularly in the pass rush. While their run defense is solid, the Lions’ pass rush needs immediate and significant upgrades.
If Detroit is serious about reaching the Super Bowl and competing with teams like the Eagles, addressing the pass rush must be their top priority.
