The Lions (7-5) can take a big step toward clinching a playoff berth with a win over the Eagles (7-5) at Philadelphia on Sunday.

Here are five keys to a Lions’ win:

1. The Lions’ wide receivers should take advantage of the Eagles porous pass defense (31st in NFL). They must get open and the line has to provide Matthew Stafford enough time to get rid of the ball.

2. Stop the run. LeSean McCoy leads the way average 4.7 yards per carry for the Eagles’ whose rushing offense is ranked second in the NFL. This could be the key matchup area of the game with the Lions’ run defense ranked third in the league. The Lions have given up several long runs so far, but can’t do that against this offense.

3. Get the ball to Calvin Johnson. It sounds simple and it should be, it just doesn’t always work that way.

4. Pressure Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. He’s a young, intelligent quarterback who uses his basketball background to make quick decisions and spread the ball around. In his six starts, he has thrown 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions, but he’s yet to face a defensive line that has guys like Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.

5. Hold onto the ball. Period. Twelve turnovers in the last three games is inexcusable.

Prediction: Eagles 31, Lions 28

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)