Week #9: Atlanta Falcons

[racosun]

The Lions had two weeks to try and prepare for QB Michael Vick and the Falcons, but I don't think it'll be that much help. After throwing for a meager 3 TD's in his first five games this season, Vick has exploded for 7 TD's in the last two weeks, and I'm sure he's salivating at the chance to burn the Lions secondary all day long. His favorite target is big, sure-handed Alge Crumpler, one of the best TE's in the league. They also have a slew of inexperienced young WR's that could burn the Lions like so many other rookies have done all year long. Mix in shifty RB Warrick Dunn, and the Lions defense will have some major headaches. The Falcons are currently tied for first place in the NFC South (with New Orleans), and are miles ahead of the Lions when it comes to leadership and talent. The best chance the Lions had to win this game would have come from the passing game, but I'm afraid Roy Williams will have a very tough day with DeAngelo Hall lined up opposite of him. Hall is one of (if not THE) best cornerbacks in the league.

Look for a balanced attack from the Falcons, who have the players to completely shred this Detroit defense. Kitna will need to be perfect and get big contributions from Kevin Jones and Mike Furrey if the Lions want to taste a big upset this weekend. This will be a good test to see if the Detroit defense is finally beginning to grasp the concepts of Marinelli's schemes. Big Ern Simms will finally have a bit of help in the return of fellow LB Teddy Lehman, who should come off the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list for this game. Simms, Lehman, and Boss Bailey are a speedy, strong trio of young linebackers that could someday own the league if they can stay healthy.

[racosun]

OUT
Lions - DT Shaun Cody (toe); DT Shaun Rogers (suspension)
Falcons - DE John Abraham (abdomen); G Matt Lehr (suspension)

DOUBTFUL
Lions - none
Falcons - none

QUESTIONABLE
Lions - DE James Hall (shoulder)
Falcons - LB Edgerton Hartwell (knee); G Kynan Forney (shoulder)

PROBABLE
Lions - none
Falcons - none

[tigers527]

That no call on Roy Williams when it was 3rd and Goal, during the Lions first series was horrid. The defender was all over Williams. If that call is made the game would likely be 21-14 at the half. Oh well...go Lions, for at the very least my 1/2 way point prediction would be right......2-6.

[tigers527]

Wow blind squirels finding nuts, broke clocks being right and the Lions winning a game they weren't supposed to. I remember the good old Wayne Fontes days, when the Lions would win games they weren't supposed to all the time. It is good to see them put away those Falcons. That Bye week seemed to really help, as the Lions appeared to be the freasher of the teams throughout the whole game.....Anyway, maybe this is the begining of something good? (I can't believe I just said that).....GO LIONS!!!

[racosun]

Wow, I should predict the Lions getting blown out every week. The defense looked acceptable, holding Vick in check. We also got big games from the "Big Three" of Jon Kitna (300+ passing yards), Roy Williams (100+ receiving yards), and Kevin Jones (100+ rushing yards). All that, and the offense is still THIS close to breaking out. Getting some guys healthy over the bye week played a big part in this win. Teddy Lehman was finally back on the field, and played a decent game. He'll get stronger as the rest of the year goes on. O-linemen Stokes and Tucker made a big difference as well, helping Jones to his big day by busting holes in Atlanta's D-line. While many predicted the Lions to be a little stronger with the injured guys back and the bye week to prepare for this game, not even the most die-hard Lions fans thought we could win this one.

Next up is the 49ers, who are a tougher team than most are giving them credit for. For once, that should be a game the Lions can win. Nice game today, boys. Keep it up.

[racosun]

Detroit Lions 30, Atlanta Falcons 14
Passing:
Lions - Jon Kitna, 20-for-32, 321 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick
Falcons - Michael Vick, 17-for-32, 163 yards, 1 TD, 2 picks

Rushing:
Lions - Kevin Jones, 26 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD's
Falcons - Michael Vick, 10 rushes, 80 yards, 1 fumble lost; Warrick Dunn, 11 rushes, 51 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:
Lions - Roy Williams, 6 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD
Falcons - Alge Crumpler, 4 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD

Kicking:
Lions - Jason Hanson, 3-for-3 FG's, 3-for-3 XP's
Falcons - Morten Anderson, no FG's, 2-for-2 XP's

[ATLFalcons]

Second year in a row the Falcons lost to a team they should have beaten and it could happen again next week against Cleveland. The Lions were built to gain 425 yards of offense on this porous Falcons D. Jon Kitna threw spread the ball to 7 different receivers and Kevin Jones broke tackles left and right. I can tell you right now, teams with high-flying offenses will beat the Falcons in the future. That Lions fans, deserves a http://baseball-fever.com/images/smilies/clap.gif

[Hut5]

I work nights, so I slept through the game.

When I got up, the Lions had beaten the Falcons and the Dolphins had beaten the Bears, and I wondered how many years I had been asleep.