The Falcons manhandled the Green Bay Packers (AGAIN), as they won the 2016 NFC championship rematch, 34-23. They scored 31 of the game’s first 38 points.
As expected, Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman powered the team’s surge – Ryan and Jones connected five times for 105 yards, and Freeman punched in 84 yards and two touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry.
We should see the those three keep being the explosive trio that they are, although number two receiver, Mohamed Sanu, who had five receptions for 85 yards against Green Bay, can’t be slept on as well, as he can have sudden bursts out of nowhere. Whether it’s Ryan, Jones, Freeman, or Sanu, the Falcons will be having an interesting clash with the rising Lions.
The defense, meanwhile, will be reportedly missing Vic Beasley for a month (hamstring). However, the group should still be competitive overall. We just saw them hold the mighty offense of the Packers to just 10 points in three quarters.
Dating back to the 2015 season, Atlanta is 8-2 in its last 10 regular season games on the road (SU and ATS).
The Lions are either playing great football or the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants simply stunk in their meeting – it’s still to be determined but the latter seems fitting.
Weak opponent or not, it’s commendable that the Lions now have back-to-back impressive wins. The defense, in particular, are showing up extra aggressive. After picking off the Cards three times and holding their backfield to just 2.5 yards per carry, they annihilated the Giants’ offensive line for eight QB hits and five sacks (three to one-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro Ziggy Ansah).
Matthew Stafford is coming up big too (as he should, considering that he has an NFL-record $135 million contract). The ninth-year veteran is 44-for-62 (70.9 completion rate) for 414 yards on the season, and he currently has a 6-1 TD-INT ratio. His receiving corps – Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, and pass-catching back, Ameer Abdullah, etc. – has the ability to be just as potent as Atlanta’s.
Dating back to last season, Detroit is 7-1 on its last eight games at home (6-2 ATS).
