NFL action is set to take place on 8/12/22 and it will feature Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions. The game is set to take place at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game starts at 6:00 PM EST and should be televised on NFL Network.
The Falcons are looking this year to be another rebuilding year. The downside is that may mean the Falcons faithful may get used to a 7-10 record again this year. In the divisional record the Falcons ended up finishing the year with a 2-4 record.
The Falcons are coming in with a new quarterback for the first time in years. The Falcons lost Matt Ryan this year with a trade. Now the Falcons are coming in to rely on Marcus Mariota to lead the offense. To make matters worse for the Falcons offense is the lack of a returning starter from last years rushing attack as the two starting running backs from last year are questionable in returning.
The defense for Atlanta had some issues last year. The Falcons defense allowed 364 yards per game, but have allowed 233 yards in the air and only 131 yards on the ground. The Falcons allowed only 27 points per game, but did end up with 12 picks and picked up only 18 sacks. The Falcons did add in a strong linebacker that can only bring a step up with Lorenzo Carter coming to the Falcons roster this year.
The Lions cannot really fall much lower than what they already are. The Lions last year finished the season with a 3-13-1 record on the year. The divisional record did give the Lions a little bit of pride as the Lions were able to post a 2-4 record in the divisional standings.
Detroit is heading here with quarterback Jared Goff looking to build off of his limited success last season. Goff went 332/494 for 3,245 yards and 19 touchdowns with only 8 picks. The rushing attack for Detroit does have some promise with D’Andre Swift carrying the ball. Last season Swift carried the ball 151 times for 617 yards and 5 touchdowns. On the plus side Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell are definitely providing some big bodies on the line.
Defensively the Lions allowed a horrible amount of yards at 380 yards per game overall. The standout figure is 245 yards allowed in the air, but also only 135 yards allowed on the ground. The Lions did give up 27.5 points per game and only managed to get 11 picks with 30 sacks. The Lions could have swapped out defensive end Nicholas Williams for Aidan Hutchinson which remains to be seen if it is an upgrade or just an even swap.
Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions Odds: Falcons -1.5, Lions +1.5
Over/Under Odds: 33
Falcons at Lions Pick: Detroit Lions +1.5, Under 33
Odds from Betonline.ag
The Lions have a better quarterback coming into the game here when compared to the Falcons. The Falcons are also looking to establish a type of running game, which could be a challenge that the Falcons are going to struggle with all year. Detroit does have a good offense which will be helpful in this game here as the Falcons defense struggled last year. The Lions, though, are struggling defensively as well, but with the lack of offensive threat from the Falcons who are rebuilding at most of the skill positions it is easy to see the Lions winning the game, but the total going under.
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