The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons take to the field in London in NFL Football action on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. (EST) start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX. Currently the NFL Odds for the game have the Lions favored by better than a field goal in this one.
This will certainly be a start time for all the football lovers out there. Must be nice to be on the West Coast and wake up early in the morning to watch the NFL.
The Lions sport arguably the best defense in the league. They rank best in the league at allowing opponents to only 290.3 yards per game this season, holding them to only 15 points per game as well. Detroit has only given up 105 points this season, which is second best in the league compared to 104 from Baltimore.
Atlanta played the Ravens last weekend and got beat up, 29-7. Having to play two consecutive weeks against such bruising defenses isn't the best way to turn around a season. The Falcons have dropped four straight games overall, having not won since the 56-14 torching of Tampa Bay on Thursday night football in mid-September. Atlanta has averaged only 17 points per game in those four losses as well, not being able to run the football effectively and being to one dimensional.
Matt Ryan can whip it all over the yard and having receivers like Roddy White and Julio Jones makes it a pleasure. But without being able to sustain drives or score as often as they need, the Falcons just can't get anything done.
Look for the Lions defensive line to get after the quarterback in this one. They rank second best in the NFL with 21 sacks on the season and should be able to take advantage of a banged up Falcons offensive line.
Offensively Detroit could be without both Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, but Matthew Stafford has done what is necessary to get them wins. While Detroit has really struggled to run the football (82.4 yards per game), they have still been able to score points and get wins. A 17-14 loss earlier this month to the Buffalo Bills was certainly not a good feeling, but outside of that only Carolina has been able to beat this Detroit team.
With as good as the Lions defense has played, the offense doesn't have to be perfect every game. Look for the Lions defense to come up big in this one, forcing Atlanta turnovers and keeping the Falcons off the scoreboard.
Free Pick: Detroit 28, Atlanta 14
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