By Sunday 
As Sunday Night Football approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for what might be their biggest test of the season — a clash with the surging Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. And if there’s one thing clear from Philly’s locker room this week, it’s respect.
A Revved-Up Edge Room
The Eagles’ defensive edge rotation is finally looking complete again. With Brandon Graham’s un-retirement, Nolan Smith’s return from injury, and the addition of Jaelan Phillips, Philly suddenly has some serious firepower back in the trenches. Phillips made a statement in his debut last week against Green Bay — seven quarterback pressures, six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
“It feels good,” Nolan Smith said after the win. “We play together and when we play together, we are unstoppable. We are on one page and we keep hunting, keep going.”
The message? The Eagles’ front seven smells blood again.
Mutual Respect Between Coaches
Both sidelines are talking each other up — and for good reason. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni called Detroit “a really good team” that’s “been doing it at a really high level for the past three years.”
Meanwhile, Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted he’s yet to beat the Eagles (0-2 lifetime), and he knows how tough this matchup will be across all three phases.
When coaches respect each other this much, it usually means one thing: expect a slugfest.
Short Week, No Excuses
Coming off a Monday night win in Green Bay, the Eagles have had less time than usual to prepare. But Sirianni isn’t worried. He said the team started early during their Week 9 bye, knowing this stretch would come fast.
“Obviously, when we get back late on a Monday, you’re a day behind,” he explained, “but you’re hoping everything you did prior to that gets you caught up.”
Preparation, meet foresight.
Searching for Offensive Rhythm
If there’s one concern hanging over this team, it’s consistency. Philly ranks just 23rd in total offense and has scored under 20 points in three of its last five games. Still, Sirianni isn’t panicking.
“It’s just about being consistent,” he said. “We’d have the same mindset if we scored 40 as if we scored 10 — come back to work and get better.”
The offense may not be humming yet, but the mindset’s right where it needs to be.
Hurts Keeps Focus on Detroit
When reporters tried to get Jalen Hurts talking about A.J. Brown’s quiet night against the Packers, he quickly redirected.
“We got the Detroit Lions,” Hurts said firmly. “We have a really good opponent coming into town. A team that I can only imagine has been waiting on the opportunity to play us.”
Hurts knows what’s coming — a hungry, physical Detroit squad that plays with grit and swagger.
“It’s hard to miss all the success they’ve had,” he added. “We have to come ready to play.”
Eyes on Goff
Even the Eagles’ secondary is preparing with precision. Rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell gave Lions QB Jared Goff some props:
“He’s very accurate. Precise with his decisions and he’s a great quarterback,” Mitchell said.
High praise from one young competitor to another — and a reminder that this Week 11 matchup is loaded with mutual admiration and sharp football minds.
Bottom line: Both teams know what’s at stake. The Eagles are out to prove their championship edge is still sharp, while the Lions want to show they belong among the NFC’s elite. Sunday night could be electric.