Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons Preview & Prediction

The Detroit Lions look to rebound from their first loss of the season in a Week 3 matchup with the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 10 am EST at Ford Field.

Last week, both teams rallied from double-digit deficits in the second half. The Lions (1-1) scored 10 points in the final 3:08, including a field goal with no time remaining, only to fall in overtime to Seattle, 37-31. 

The Falcons (2-0) trailed at home to Green Bay by 12 points in the fourth quarter and won on a field goal with a minute left, 25-24. The Lions suffered multiple serious injuries in the loss and will host the Falcons, missing several key players.

Lions Team News

The overtime defeat to Seattle may have looked familiar to Lions fans. Critical mistakes on offense and an ineffective defense resulting in a close loss was the team’s identity for the first half of last season.

Jared Goff was solid again but threw a pick-6 midway through the fourth quarter to give Seattle a 10-point cushion at 31-21. The Lions responded with a 75-yard TD drive on their next possession, scoring on a Goff to Josh Reynolds connection, and then tied the game on Riley Patterson’s 38-yard field goal on the game’s last play.

The Seahawks won the OT coin toss, however, and went 75 yards in nine plays, with Geno Smith’s 6-yarder to Tyler Lockett being the game-winner.

Goff’s first interception in nearly 400 pass attempts wasn’t the only costly turnover by Detroit. After halftime, David Montgomery was hit in the backfield and fumbled on the first play. Seattle recovered at the Lions 23 and scored two plays later to tie the game,14-14. Montgomery (16 carries for 67 yards and a TD) was later carted off the field with a thigh injury and is listed as questionable for this week. He has 37 of the team’s 61 rushing attempts this season. 

Goff finished 28-for-35 with three TDs. Eight Lions caught a pass in the game, led by Amon-Ra St. Brown’s six receptions for 102 yards. Reynolds also had a TD catch in the first quarter, and Kalif Raymond scored on a 36-yard pass play to give Detroit a 14-7 lead at halftime. Rookies Sam LaPorta (5 catches for 63 yards) and Jahmyr Gibbs (7 for 39 yards) also played major roles in the passing attack. 

More injury updates that are not good for Detroit include defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson being out for months and possibly the entire year with a torn pectoral. The Lions lack of pass rush took a hit as it was reported that James Houston would miss months with a fractured ankle. Starting guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai reportedly will miss at least this week with a knee injury.

After two games, Goff is fifth in the league in passing yards (576 yards), fifth in QBR (75.3) and third in QB Rating (109.0). He’s completing 71.4% of his passes. St. Brown’s big day puts him 10th in the league with 143 receiving yards. Overall, the Lions offense is third in the league at 393 total yards per game.

Meanwhile, the Detroit defense allows 354.5 yards and 28.5 points per game. Both defensive numbers rank in the bottom-half of the league. The Detroit defense forced only one three-and-out against the Seahawks. Alex Anzalone recorded the lone sack on the day by the Lions. 

Falcons Team News

The Atlanta Falcons are one of nine 2-0 teams left in the NFL after two weeks. 

Atlanta plans to run the ball and is fourth in the league with 71 rushing attempts. Eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson is second in the NFL with 180 rushing yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Second-year back Tyler Allgeier actually leads the team with his 31 carries and has 123 rushing yards. 

Second-year QB Desmond Ridder has been efficient so far, completing 34-of-50 passes for 352 yards. Robinson also leads the team with 10 receptions. Mack Hollins, Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts are the other main receiving targets the Lions will have to account for.   

In the comeback win, Atlanta outgained the Packers 446 to 224 in total yards, and the team’s young offensive talent was displayed. Robinson impressed with 124 yards on 19 carries and four catches for 49 yards.

Ridder opened it up a bit, going 19-of-32 for 237 yards and running the ball 10 times. London had 6 catches for 67 yards. The Falcons had 211 rushing yards and 15 rushing first downs. On defense, the Falcons are ranked third, allowing 252.5 yards per game.

Lions Falcons Prediction

The Lions are early 3.5-point home favorites with a Total Over/Under of 46. The injuries to key Detroit players are a concern. If Montgomery can’t go, the game could feature an exciting showcase of Gibbs and Robinson.

The Falcons’ two wins have come at home against inexperienced quarterbacks Bryce Young and Jordan Love. We’re not convinced Ridder can get it done on the road.

This one feels like it will be decided by the arm of Goff and the Lions’ defense’s ability to stop the run. We like the former…but worry about the latter. 

Detroit 27, Atlanta 24