Eagles Set to Face Familiar Faces in Week 15 Showdown with Lions
The Philadelphia Eagles have been walking a tightrope all season on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary. Injuries have made it nearly impossible to find consistency on the back end, and the revolving door at corner and safety has been one of the team’s biggest challenges.
Still, credit where it’s due-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has kept this unit competitive. It’s not always pretty, but the defense has done enough to keep Philly in games and give the offense a chance to win late.
Now, as the Eagles prepare for a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Detroit Lions, they’ll be seeing a couple of familiar faces on the opposite sideline-players who once wore midnight green and helped bring hardware to Philly.
Avonte Maddox and Jalen Mills: Back in the Mix
Detroit already added cornerback Avonte Maddox earlier this year, signing him in the offseason after his run with the Eagles came to an end. Maddox, a key piece of Philly’s 2024 Super Bowl-winning squad, has carved out a meaningful role in Detroit’s secondary. And with the recent injury to starting safety Brian Branch, it looks like Maddox is in line for even more responsibility-possibly stepping into a starting role as the Lions scramble to patch up their back end.
But Maddox won’t be the only ex-Eagle suiting up in Honolulu blue this weekend.
The Lions just claimed veteran safety Jalen Mills off waivers following his release from the Houston Texans, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Mills, of course, is no stranger to Eagles fans.
He was part of the team’s 2018 playoff run and played a key role in that memorable stretch with Nick Foles under center. While he left the team after the 2020 season, his time in Philadelphia is still remembered-green hair and all.
Lions Turning to Familiar Faces Amid Injury Woes
Detroit’s decision to bring in Maddox and now Mills speaks volumes about where they are as a team right now. The Lions came into the season with legitimate playoff hopes, and the roster was built to contend.
But injuries, especially in the secondary, have left them scrambling for answers. And while the Eagles certainly have their own issues to sort out, it’s clear Detroit is in desperation mode when it comes to finding healthy, experienced defensive backs.
For Maddox, this is a continuation of what’s been a solid bounce-back season. He’s stayed healthy and has shown he can still contribute at a high level.
Mills, on the other hand, is looking to re-establish himself. Since leaving Philly, he’s bounced around the league, with stops in New England, New York (Giants and Jets), Houston, and now Detroit.
He’s the kind of player who keeps getting chances because of his versatility and experience-but capitalizing on those chances has been the challenge.
This season, Mills logged 39 coverage snaps with the Texans and wasn’t targeted once. That stat can be read a couple of ways-either he was doing his job well enough to avoid attention, or he simply wasn’t on the field in high-leverage situations. Still, his track record includes three of the last four seasons with a sub-60% completion rate allowed, so there’s something there if Detroit can tap into it.
A Subplot Worth Watching
For Eagles fans, this Week 15 matchup comes with an extra layer of intrigue. It’s not just about playoff positioning-it’s a reunion of sorts.
Maddox and Mills both played roles in recent Philly postseason runs, and now they’re trying to help another team make a push. The Lions are still in the hunt for a wildcard spot, and if either of these former Eagles can stabilize Detroit’s battered secondary, it could end up being a savvy late-season move.
Of course, there’s also the flip side-if neither player makes an impact, it might reinforce the Eagles’ decision to move on when they did.
Regardless, it’s a storyline worth watching. Two former Eagles, now in Detroit, trying to keep their new team’s playoff hopes alive.
And for Philly, trying to get right on both sides of the ball before the postseason hits full stride. Week 15 just got a little more interesting.