Detroit Lions: High-powered offense expects to be the storyline of Week 7
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in what expects to be an explosive outpouring of offense that is to be accompanied by a pair of awful defenses.
It’s a Week Seven matchup that is sure to bring the fireworks. I will say this, do not turn off your television while this game is on; no lead is safe by either team. Both the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons have blown significant leads this season.
The Falcons’ inability to maintain a lead led to the firing of Dan Quinn, a defensive-minded head coach. Quinn had been in charge during Atlanta’s epic 28-3 Super Bowl collapse at the New England Patriots’ hands. However, Kyle Shanahan’s playcalling and Matt Ryan‘s play late in the game did aid the Patriots eventual victory.
If Dan Quinn can be fired, why are the Detroit Lions continuing to employ Matt Patricia?
More from Detroit Lions
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
- Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
- Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game
Under Patricia’s guidance, the Detroit Lions have blown a total of 11 second-half leads in 37 games. Just in this season alone, the Lions have squandered three double-digit leads in each of their losses.
The same goes for the 1-5 Falcons despite coming off of an impressive victory over Minnesota, but like Detroit, the Falcons hate having double-digit leads. Similar to the Lions, Atlanta blew a large fourth-quarter lead to the Chicago Bears. Atlanta had been up 16 points midway through the fourth quarter but came back to win behind the arm of Nick Foles after Matt Nagy opted to bench Mitchell Trubisky. But it was Trubisky who led the Bears from three-scores down to beat the Lions at Ford Field in their Week One matchup.
Everyone knows that Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan are best friends. The pair will be trying to outduel one another all day long in what should be a widely entertaining game. If you are one who loves defense, this Week Seven matchup is not for you.
Calvin Ridley ranks fourth in the NFL with 546 receiving yards and third with five touchdown receptions. Ryan is set to overtake the injured Dak Prescott today as the league’s leading passer. Ryan currently sits second with 1,843 passing yards and eighth with 11 touchdown passes.
In comparison, Stafford has nine touchdowns, ranking him near the bottom of the league; he is also 22nd with 1,240 passing yards.
3 players to move leading up to the NFL trade deadline. light. Trending
I am predicting a 38-31 Falcons victory. I don’t believe the Detroit Lions are capable of covering both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Detroit will be without Desmond Trufant, and Amani Oruwariye can only shadow one of the Falcons’ top pass-catchers.