Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett breaks down the Detroit Lions' Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field:

Lions run offense vs. Eagles run defense

The Lions rank 16th in the NFL in rushing through two games, but they’ve had a bit of a disappointing effort on the ground so far. Kerryon Johnson is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and the Lions are one of just seven teams yet to score a touchdown on the ground.

Johnson should get the bulk of the work Sunday, and with C.J. Anderson’s release earlier this week, speedy rookie Ty Johnson moves into the backup role. The Lions need better blocking from their offensive front, but coach Matt Patricia said this week he thinks the ground game is close to taking off.

It’s tough to run outside on the Eagles, who typically play their defensive ends in a wide-nine technique. The Eagles shut down the Falcons’ rushing attack last week, holding Devonta Freeman to 22 yards on 11 carries, and they rank third in the NFL against the run (42.5 ypg) through two weeks thanks in big part to All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

Edge: Eagles

Lions pass offense vs. Eagles pass defense

While the Eagles have excelled at stopping the run this year, they’ve been one of the worst teams in the league at defending the pass. Both Matt Ryan and Case Keenum threw for at least 320 yards and three touchdowns, and the Eagles have allowed three long touchdown passes of more than 45 yards.

The Lions, meanwhile, have been one of the biggest passing-play teams so far this season, with T.J. Hockenson, Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola and Kerryon Johnson all breaking big plays. The Lions, of course, operate out of a West coast offense, but they will take a few shots a game if they feel their offensive line can protect up.

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Matthew Stafford is off to a nice start, though he did throw two interceptions last week. The Lions should get Taylor Decker back at left tackle, but he and the rest of the line will have their hands full against a good defensive front and aggressive scheme. In two games against Stafford, Jim Schwartz’s defense have produced 10 sacks and forced three quarterback fumbles (one lost).

Edge: Lions

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Eagles run offense vs. Lions run defense

Jordan Howard leads the Eagles in rushing with a measly 62 yards through two games, but make no mistake about it, rookie Miles Sanders is their No. 1 back. Sanders has led all Eagles running backs in snaps in each of Philadelphia’s first two games, and head coach Doug Pederson has been creative in trying to get him the ball.

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The Eagles will use Howard, Sanders and the slippery Darren Sproles out of the backfield, and quarterback Carson Wentz is a threat with his feet and on read-option plays. The Eagles have one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, led by center Jason Kelce, but both tackles, Lane Johnson and Jason Peters, are playing through injuries.

The Lions should have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, but they haven’t played at that level yet this year. Running backs are averaging 4.8 yards per carry against the Lions, and high-priced linemen Damon Harrison and Trey Flowers are off to slow starts. Middle linebacker Jarrad Davis is expected back Sunday from a preseason ankle injury, and that should help the run defense.

Edge: Lions

Eagles pass offense vs. Lions pass defense

The Eagles have potentially one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the NFL, but they’ll be short-handed Sunday. Deep threat DeSean Jackson already has been ruled out with an abdominal injury, and both No. 2 receiver Alshon Jeffery and backup tight end Dallas Goedert are questionable to play with calf injuries.

The Eagles should present a formidable challenge to a Lions secondary that allows a ton of yards but has one of the NFL’s lowest opposing passer ratings (74.4) even if Jeffery and Goedert don’t play. Zach Ertz set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end last season, and Wentz should have time against a Lions front that’s struggled to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year.

Look for the Lions to change up how they cover Ertz, but safety Tracy Walker certainly will be a factor. Walker is off to a strong start this season in his first year as starter, though he’s given up a couple big pass plays. If Jeffery doesn’t play, top Lions cornerback Darius Slay might find himself covering Nelson Agholor.

Edge: Eagles

Special teams

There’s no sugar-coating it: The Lions have been terrible on special teams so far this year. They’ve been called for nine special-teams penalties, have muffed a punt, nearly lost another, had a punt blocked and missed an extra point and field goal. Kicker Matt Prater didn’t have a great game last week, but he’s still one of the NFL’s most reliable legs. Punter Sam Martin is off to a good start this year, but return man Jamal Agnew has struggled. The Lions say they’re sticking with Agnew on returns, though the leash will be short with Amendola and Ty Johnson capable backups.

The Eagles have a generally solid special-teams unit. Punter Cameron Johnston is netting a whopping 48.6 yards per punt through two weeks, with four of his seven kicks landing inside the 20. Kicker Jake Elliott is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, though he’s yet to attempt one from longer than 41 yards. And Sproles, 36, is still one of the NFL’s most dangerous punt returners. The Eagles won’t have regular kick returner Corey Clement, so Sanders likely will take over those duties.

Edge: Eagles

Overall

Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have given the Lions much chance of winning this game, on the road, against an Eagles team that I think is one of the best in the NFC. But injuries have leveled the playing field. The Eagles will be without Jackson and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, starting linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill is doubtful, and there’s a chance at least one of Jeffery and Goedert don’t play as well. The Eagles could be somewhat limited offensively, but they’re still a dangerous team coming off a loss and heading home to a place that’s hostile on visitors. The Lions don’t have much margin for error. They can’t afford turnovers and they must get something out of their sputtering ground game. If that happens, this game will come down the wire. But if the Lions play like they did for most of last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, it will be a long flight home.

Pick: Eagles 24, Lions 21

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.