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Rookie who stood out: LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Many people didn't know what to expect when the Lions drafted Rodriguez as a sixth-rounder this summer, but the rookie earned a starting role in his NFL debut at linebacker, racking up six total tackles -- including a tackle for loss. The Oklahoma State product is becoming a fan favorite after being prominently featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks." Although No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson gets a ton of hype, and rightfully so, the 23-year-old -- nicknamed "Rodrigo" -- is proving to be another top option on defense.

The Lions opened the season by hanging until the final minute with a loaded Eagles team that has the look of a potential NFC superpower. That counts as progress for Dan Campbell's team, which showed resolve in a 38-35 loss at a raucous Ford Field. There will be a time when merely hanging with a tough opponent won't be good enough, but for now, the Lions appear on the right track. Keep an eye on D'Andre Swift, who ran for 144 yards and looks fully primed to deliver the biggest running back season by a Lions player since Barry Sanders was in town. The defense is an obvious work in progress, but the Detroit attack looks ready to go.

The way their defense played against the Eagles isn't a good sign going forward. They did hang around, but when is that not enough anymore?

The arrow has been trending up since last season, through "Hard Knocks" and into the opener, when they gave one of the NFC's best teams all it could handle. Eventually, Detroit has to turn its promise into wins, but don't be surprised if Dan Campbell's crew hangs around the playoff picture into January.

D'Andre Swift looked explosive (175 yards from scrimmage on 18 touches), and the Lions had the third-best offensive performance of the week by EPA per play. Dan Campbell will appreciate their fortitude in clawing back from two 17-point deficits to force a fourth-down conversion by Hurts with the game on the line. Just as encouraging, the Ford Field crowd was as loud as it's been in a long time and adversely affected the Eagles early on.

But a loss is a loss, and it might not have been one with a more accurate quarterback. Meanwhile, the defense's gambit of blitzing Hurts and playing man coverage at one of the highest rates in the league backfired. Wentz and the Commanders come to town next.

Lions bettors rejoiced in a familiar beautiful backdoor cover late in the fourth quarter, but the bottom line is that while the Lions might have made it interesting late, the Eagles were in constant control of this game. Running back D'Andre Swift (144 rushing yards, 9.6 yards per carry) led an offense that exceeded preseason expectations, but the defense had simply no answers for the duo of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Detroit allowed 455 yards of total offense, the third-most of any team in Week 1.

The Lions were in the game at the end but they can't be giving up 38 points at home. The Eagles might be pretty good this season and there's no problem in losing to them, but the defensive issues need to get fixed right away.

Nobody back-door covers in Week One like the Dan Campbell Lions.