Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: Keys to the Game, TV Schedule, Live Stream
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) celebrates after defeating the New Orleans Saints 24-23 at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Keys to the Game
The defense will face quarterback Matt Ryan in London. Ryan is comparable to Drew Brees, the QB that the Lions were able to rally against late in the game last week. Also similar are the weapons that the opposing quarterback will have to work with. Last week we seen Kenny Stiles burn Darius Slay, and this week Slay will be matched up against another speedy wideout in Julio Jones.
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It will be a true test for the young Detroit Lion, but he has certainly held his own until this point in the season.
The biggest question remaining however, is can Matthew Stafford and Co. bring some offense?
Stafford was face-to-face with a two-interception, zero-touchdown game until the 73-yard touchdown by Golden Tate last week. Detroit also failed to find any semblance of a rushing game, averaging 2.5 yards per carry against the Saints, a team that gives up over 100 yards per game on the ground.
Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
To make things all the more challenging, they will likely play without two of their biggest weapons on offense as both Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush are expected to sit this out.
Both are battling ankle injuries, and head coach Jim Caldwell appears to be thinking bigger picture — wanting to rest his two play makers through the Lions bye in week nine.
Player to Watch:
My player to watch in this week eight match-up is the guy that will likely see most of, if not all of Bush’s snaps on Sunday –Theo Riddick. Riddick is returning from a hamstring injury and possess a lot of similarities with Bush.
Look for Riddick to continue to be a viable check-down option for Stafford out of the backfield, as well as a target in the screen game.