The Eagles looked like they were about to seal their fourth straight win of the season after a big-time comeback.
Nope.
Instead, they had their first turnover of the season at the worst possible time.
Ryan Mathews coughed up the football with less than three minutes left in the game, which set up the Lions for a game-winning field goal drive and a 24-23 win over the Eagles at Ford Field.
After the fumble, the Lions converted a first down on a 27-yard pass play to Golden Tate from Matt Stafford that allowed the Lions to get closer for the 29-yard Matt Prater field goal.
The Eagles got the ball back, but Wentz reared back and tossed a long ball that was intercepted. It was his first interception of the season.
The loss was the first of the season for the Eagles, as they dropped to 3-1. The Lions (2-3) were a desperate team and picked up a win they needed badly.
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The Eagles came back from a 14-point deficit and an 11-point halftime deficit to take a lead in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on.
With the loss, the Eagles squandered a chance to start the season 4-0, something they haven’t done since 2004, when they went to the Super Bowl. Wentz missed a shot to become the first rookie quarterback in the modern era to start and win his team’s first four games.
But this game wasn’t on Wentz. The Eagles’ defense just simply didn’t do its job in the first half. The defense responded in the second, but finally gave up a late field goal after Detroit got great field position to give the Lions a win.
Turning point
The Mathews fumble. It was the Eagles’ first turnover of the season.
Key stat
The Eagles were penalized 13 times for 106 yards.
First half
After allowing just 20 points in the first three games of the season, the Eagles’ defense allowed 21 in the first half at Ford Field.
The Lions took a 21-10 lead into halftime after the Eagles’ defense was absolutely shredded. The Lions had three drives that resulted in three touchdowns. The Eagles simply couldn’t stop them.
The Lions went on 11-, 9- and 12-play drives that all ended with a Stafford touchdown pass. Before Sunday’s game, the Eagles hadn’t allowed a touchdown pass on the season. Then they allowed three in the first half Sunday.
After going down 14-0, Wentz and the Eagles responded, putting together a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a one-yard touchdown pass to Mathews.
But the defense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain, allowing the Lions to march right back down the field and go up 21-7. Wentz and the Eagles were able to get a field goal out of their last drive to cut the lead to 11 points.
The Eagles were penalized eight times for 76 yards in the first half. The Lions had one penalty for five yards.
Offensive stud
Wentz was his usual impressive self. He had a late interception, though, his first of the season.
Offensive dud
He had a nice afternoon before it, but the fumble by Mathews came at a brutal spot.
Defensive stud
When he was on the field, Nigel Bradham had a very good game.
Defensive dud
Mychal Kendricks struggled in pass coverage again. He got some extended snaps Sunday and didn’t look very good. Then again, he wasn’t alone early.
Injuries
The Eagles came into Sunday very healthy. Bennie Logan was the only player listed as questionable and he played.
Leodis McKelvin left with a hamstring injury, but was cleared to return.
Up next
The Eagles are on the road again next week, as they head to Washington to face their first NFC East opponent. The following week, they’ll return to the Linc to host Sam Bradford and the Minnesota Vikings.
