Eagles-Lions live updates: Tush push gives Philly a lead it never loses

PHILADLEPHIA — Greetings from the press box at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions are meeting in a clash of Super Bowl contenders.

The Eagles (7-2) and Lions (6-3) have kicked off in primetime on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

It’s a massive game between two of the NFC’s best teams, with both having a shot at the conference’s No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.

Follow along all night for coverage from the Linc.

FINAL: Eagles 16, Lions 9

The Lions outgained the Eagles 317-272 despite running fewer plays (60 for them, 69 for the Eagles). In the end, the Eagles’ defense made up for a lackluster offensive performance as the defending Super Bowl champs improved to 8-2.

FOURTH QUARTER: Eagles 16, Lions 9

The Lions closed the gap with 2 minutes left in the game on a 54-yard field goal by Jake Bates. It came after a controversial Eagles decision to try a sneak on a fourth-and-1 at their 29, and having it stuffed. The Lions tried three plays: Two were incomplete passes, and the other was a 7-yard sack by Nakobe Dean, before Bates kicked the field goal.

FOURTH QUARTER: Eagles 16, Lions 6

Finally, some points, as Jake Elliott kicked a 49-yard field goal to expand the lead with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter. The drive started at the Philly 45, after Detroit failed on a fourth-down pass, and the Eagles took two steps forward, one step back down the field. Maybe the most important play of the drive was the last one from the Detroit 36, as Jalen Hurts hit A.J. Brown with a six-yard pass to move the ball to the 30 and set up Elliott’s field goal.

FOURTH QUARTER: Eagles 13, Lions 6

Both teams put together several successful drives in the third quarter, but the score remained the same heading into the final 15 minutes. The Lions led in total yards, 286-204, but failed to convert several third-down and fourth-down opportunities.

HALFTIME: Eagles 13, Lions 6

Fans (understandably) likely think the Birds should be up by more. The Eagles had seven possessions, three of which started in Detroit territory, and they only have 13 points to show for it. Having to settle for a couple short field goals had to be frustrating. But a statement drive before halftime, coupled with a phenomenal defensive first half, means the Philadelphia has a lead at the break.

The defense did not allow a third-down or fourth-down conversion in the half. Jahmyr Gibbs has eight yards on five carries. There were two fourth-down stops, one against Detroit’s offense and one on a fake punt. Impressive, impressive stuff by Vic Fangio’s unit.

SECOND QUARTER

00:16 — Eagles 13, Lions 6

Touchdown, Jalen Hurts. That was a big drive by Philly, responding to Detroit’s quick-strike score right before halftime. The Eagles went 64 yards on 10 plays, chewing up over four minutes. A 17-yard run by Tank Bigbsy on second-and-13 was the big play of the drive. A.J. Brown was involved with two crucial catches. Saquon Barkley was ruled in on a four-yard touchdown run, but that was overturned. Hurts finished it off with a tush push.

5:05 — Eagles 6, Lions 6

Well, that was fast. The Lions take the lead after two massive plays: a 34-yard, play-action completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 40-yard deep crosser to Jameson Williams, who burned Adoree’ Jackson. But Williams picked up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his celebration, which cost Detroit. Jake Bates failed to convert the 48-yard extra-point attempt, keeping it tied.

6:02 — Eagles 6, Lions 0

Jake Elliott extends the Eagles’ lead with a 34-yard field goal. But that’s not what anyone at the Linc wanted to see. The Eagles got down to Detroit’s 18-yard line. But an eight-yard loss on a backwards pass to Saquon Barkley moved Philly into third-and-almost impossible. A.J. Brown picked up 10 yards, giving the Eagles a fourth-and-5. Nick Sirianni left the offense on the field and tried to draw the Lions offside, only to call a timeout and kick a chip shot. Disappointing drive.

11:16 — Eagles 3, Lions 0

The Lions just gave Philly a gift. Detroit tried a fake punt from midfield, but the Eagles kept their defense on the field. The fake got blown up by Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt. The Birds have a good opportunity to go up two scores.

12:38 — Eagles 3, Lions 0

The Eagles’ offense is just out of whack. The ground game isn’t rolling. Jalen Hurts and his receivers aren’t on the same page. DeVonta Smith is dropping passes. Nothing is easy for this group. Philadelphia is fortunate its defense is showing up. Moro Ojomo’s fourth-down stop on Detroit’s previous drive was massive.

FIRST QUARTER

9:43 — Eagles 3, Lions 0

The Eagles take an early lead on a 27-yard Jake Elliott field goal. It was set up by Cooper DeJean, who snared his first interception since the Super Bowl LIX pick-six. Jordan Davis tipped Jared Goff’s pass at the line of scrimmage, DeJean snagged it out of the air, and he returned it 21 yards to Detroit’s 11. The Birds couldn’t move the sticks and had to settle for a chip shot.

12:16 — Eagles 0, Lions 0

The Eagles’ opening drive ended in a punt. DeVonta Smith had a drop. Dallas Goedert had a drop. But it did give fans something to cheer about: a big A.J. Brown catch. Brown snagged a third-and-10 conversion basically from his knees. Then, a rare Lane Johnson holding call stalled the series.

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