Lead
Sunday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 16, 2025 featured a tense Week 11 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Through the second quarter the Eagles led 13–6 after Jalen Hurts converted a goal-line Tush Push and Jake Elliott added two field goals. Key defensive stands and a Cooper DeJean interception shifted field position early, while a 40-yard touchdown from Jameson Williams temporarily tied the game before Philadelphia pulled ahead. Lane Johnson was listed questionable with a foot issue, a potential concern for the Eagles’ protection scheme going forward.
Key Takeaways
- Score at pause: Eagles 13, Lions 6 (second quarter), with Hurts’ goal-line push making it 13–6 at :17 of Q2.
- Special teams and penalties matter: Jameson Williams’ 40-yard TD tied the game but an unsportsmanlike-conduct flag forced a longer extra-point attempt that was missed.
- Jake Elliott has made two field goals (27 and 34 yards), accounting for 6 points before Hurts’ rushing TD.
- Turnovers shifted momentum early: Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards to set up Philadelphia’s first score.
- Pass-rush impact: Jaelan Phillips recorded his first sack as an Eagle at 8:57 in the first quarter, helped by pressure from Jalen Carter.
- Fourth-down defense: Eagles defenders Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt were decisive on fourth-down plays, stopping a fake punt and a short-yardage run.
- Injury watch: Lane Johnson is questionable to return with a foot injury, raising concerns about the offensive line for the remainder of the night.
Background
Sunday night’s meeting is a key Week 11 primetime tilt at Lincoln Financial Field. Both clubs entered the matchup with playoff aspirations; games between NFC opponents in November often carry outsized importance for seeding and momentum heading into December. The atmosphere at Philly’s home stadium typically favors aggressive defensive play and high-energy crowd noise, factors that can influence short-yardage and red-zone outcomes.
The Eagles came into the evening relying on a strong front four and a dynamic offense led by Jalen Hurts. Detroit’s offense features explosive playmakers who can change a possession with a single catch or breakaway run, evidenced by a 40-yard scoring play in the second quarter. Special teams discipline and turnover avoidance have been recurring themes for both clubs this season and have already been decisive in this matchup.
Main Event
First quarter developments set the tone: Jordan Davis tipped a pass that Cooper DeJean intercepted and returned 21 yards, giving Philadelphia a short field. Jake Elliott converted the ensuing opportunity with a 27-yard field goal at 9:47 in Q1, putting the Eagles on the board 3–0. Shortly after, Jaelan Phillips registered his first sack as an Eagle on Jared Goff at 8:57, with Jalen Carter adding pressure to collapse the pocket.
Detroit threatened in short-yardage situations but Philly’s front responded. On a 4th-and-1 at Detroit’s 48-yard line (13:07), Moro Ojomo stuffed Jahmyr Gibbs to force a turnover on downs; that defensive stand followed earlier stops that showed the Eagles’ willingness to defend the line on fourth-down plays. Later in the quarter, a fake punt attempt on 4th-and-2 at the Detroit 43 was dismantled by Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt, preserving possession for the Eagles.
In the second quarter, the Lions answered when Jameson Williams reached the end zone on a 40-yard catch-and-run to tie the game at 6–6. Williams was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, which pushed the PAT attempt back and led to a longer kick that was missed. The Eagles retained composure and ground control on a later drive: a long run by Tank Bigsby and a big reception by A.J. Brown helped set up Jalen Hurts’ goal-line Tush Push touchdown at :17 of Q2, giving Philadelphia a 13–6 edge.
Analysis & Implications
Field position and turnovers have been decisive so far. DeJean’s interception and subsequent return shortened the field and directly enabled early points; in contrast, Detroit’s penalty after Williams’ score negated the standard extra-point routine and ultimately cost them a point. Those single-point swings are often decisive in tight, late-season contests.
Philadelphia’s defensive front has shown consistent ability to pressure Jared Goff and stop short-yardage plays. Jaelan Phillips’ sack and the series of fourth-down stops suggest the Eagles can win the line-of-scrimmage battles that determine red-zone outcomes. If the Eagles can sustain that pressure while protecting Hurts, they are well positioned to control the game’s pace.
On offense, Hurts’ Tush Push remains a reliable short-yardage tool; converting in those scenarios forces opponents to allocate extra defenders near the goal line and can open up play-action opportunities. Conversely, Lane Johnson’s uncertain status with a foot injury could weaken pass protection and make Hurts more vulnerable to the Lions’ interior rush if Johnson cannot return.
Comparison & Data
| Snapshot | Detail |
|---|---|
| Score (Q2) | Eagles 13 — Lions 6 |
| Key plays | Cooper DeJean INT (21-yd), Jameson Williams 40-yd TD, Jalen Hurts goal-line TD |
| Field goals | Jake Elliott: 27 yd, 34 yd |
The table summarizes pivotal moments through the second quarter. Short fields created by turnovers and reliable kicking have provided the bulk of Philadelphia’s points, while Detroit’s explosiveness produced a lengthy touchdown but was hampered by a post-play penalty and a missed conversion. These data points suggest the game hinges on discipline and execution in three phases: offense, defense, and special teams.
Reactions & Quotes
“That interception swung momentum and gave us invaluable field position early.”
Broadcast analyst (live)
“Our fourth-down defense stood up when it mattered — we have to keep bringing that intensity.”
Sideline reporter (team observation)
“The goal-line execution was clean and timely; those plays win close games.”
Analyst commentary
Unconfirmed
- Extent of Lane Johnson’s foot injury and whether he will return later in the game remains unconfirmed.
- Full rationale and review status for the unsportsmanlike-conduct flag on Jameson Williams has not been publicly clarified.
- Any official change to starting lineups or depth chart adjustments for the second half have not been announced.
Bottom Line
This primetime contest is being shaped by turnovers, special teams, and short-yardage execution. Philadelphia’s early defensive plays and timely kicking put them ahead 13–6, but Detroit’s ability to produce a 40-yard touchdown shows the game can swing quickly on a single explosive play.
Key things to watch in the second half: whether Lane Johnson returns and stabilizes Philadelphia’s pass protection, how Detroit responds to the Eagles’ fourth-down resistance, and whether penalties or turnovers will continue to determine field position. The next two quarters will likely decide which team gains late-season momentum as the NFC picture tightens.
Sources
- PhiladelphiaEagles.com (Official team site: game recap and live updates)