Greenberg: Detroit Lions only have 1 legitimate threat in NFC

Jared Goff averaged a stunning 14.2 yards per completion and finished with a perfect passer rating. Detroit’s defense surrendered just 10 first downs and 170 total yards. Yes, the Lions were feasting on the worst team in football, the Jacksonville Jaguars, but their 46-point margin of victory on Sunday was yet another statement to the NFL world.

Do the Lions even have a legitimate threat in the NFC as they charge into Week 12 with a 9-1 record? Only one remains, according to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.

Greeny made a statement on Monday morning’s episode of Get Up, naming the Philadelphia Eagles as the lone team in the conference still in Detroit's weight class. Here was his full take:

“I didn’t see any team play on Sunday that could beat these guys,” Greenberg said of the Lions. “The only team I think in the entire NFC that can beat the Lions in the playoffs, played Thursday. I could see the Eagles beating the Lions. I think the Eagles, man for man, pound for pound, can match up with the Lions. I don’t think any other team in the NFC has any fighting chance.”

This commentary has to be refreshing for Eagles fans. Philly hasn’t gotten a ton of respect from the national media, even after Thursday night’s monster fourth quarter to dispatch the Commanders, win their sixth straight game and improve to 8-2 atop of the NFC East. 

The Eagles have been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter is ascending to superstar status, linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean are buzzing all over the field, and cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Darius Slay Jr. and Cooper DeJean are routinely shutting down the top wide receiver talent in the NFL. 

Factor in an offense that boasts the best rushing attack in football, and skill position stars around quarterback Jalen Hurts that includes Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, and Philly looks like a matchup nightmare for any NFL team, Detroit included.

The Lions have been getting all the flowers, and rightfully so. But Philly has quietly kept pace during Detroit’s eight-game winning streak, and Greenberg’s commentary was a rare nod to their status as legit NFC contenders.