Michael Vick keeps committing turnovers

PHILADELPHIA — The stars seemed aligned for the Detroit Lions defense to finally get its first interception of the season Sunday.

Big play free safety Louis Delmas was suiting up for the first time in 2012, capping a long comeback from two knee procedures. And the Lions were facing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who has been such a turnover machine this season that he carried around a football — high school-style — at the team's headquarters on at least one day last week as a reminder about ball security.

Well, the odds worked in Detroit's favor, as Delmas snagged a deep overthrown pass over the middle for the interception in the first half.

It was Vick's seventh pick of the season and second turnover of the game. He also lost a fumble (recovered by Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch) and headed into halftime with 13 turnovers on the season, including six lost fumbles. But at least he had a halftime lead, 7-6, thanks to his 2-yard pass to LeSean McCoy.

That Detroit was the last team in the league to post its first interception of the season provides one clue for what's happened to a team that was so hot last season but has lost 10 of 16 games since it started 5-0 in 2011. Last season, the Lions tied for third in the NFL with 34 takeaways, including 21 interceptions.

Getting Delmas back undoubtedly helps. In addition to his the pick, the fourth-year safety forced a punt early in the second quarter by stuffing McCoy on a third-and-1 shovel pass and seems to have infused the unit with some much-needed fire.