NFL: Falcons vs Lions - Odds, Prediction & Picks

After suffering a tough overtime loss to the Seahawks, the Lions are back at Ford Field for a Sunday 1 p.m. kickoff against the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons. Detroit will need quarterback Jared Goff to pick up the pace with lead running back David Montgomery questionable to play. The Lions will have to stop a versatile Falcons offense that includes wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts plus sensational rookie running back Bijan Robinson.

Odds provided by DraftKings.

Lions 

The overtime loss to the Seahawks in the home opener last week was a big setback for the Lions in more ways than one. The Lions lost star defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson with a torn pectoral muscle and had to place him on injured reserve, while standout wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered a toe injury that has limited him during preparation this week.

Injury Report: The Lions injury list filed Wednesday is a long one. RB David Montgomery (thigh), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe), OT Taylor Decker (ankle), OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee), Emmanuel Moseley (knee), Kerby Joseph (hip).

Falcons

Atlanta is a surprising 2-0 after storming back to beat the Packers 25-24 on a last-minute field goal by Younghoe Koo. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has had success moving in the pocket and rookie running back Bijan Robinson has been as good as expected, running for 124 yards in the win over Green Bay. The Falcons are confident coming into Ford Field.

Injury Report: The Falcons appear to be almost fully healthy. LB Troy Andersen (concussion) and DB Jeff Okudah (foot).

• When Lions quarterback Jared Goff was intercepted against the Seahawks in the fourth quarter it marked his first interception in 383 throws, the third longest streak in NFL history. Aaron Rodgers (402) and Tom Brady (399) had longer streaks.
• The Lions defense ranks 26th against the run through two games. Atlanta has run the ball 71 times, fourth most of any team in the NFL.
• Atlanta went 9-8 against the spread in 2022 and is 1-1 so far this season.

Lion fans probably expected their team to be 1-1 at this point in the season, just in reverse order, expecting a win against the Seahawks and a loss to the Chiefs. The Seahawks loss was disappointing because it exposed some flaws evident in the first part of the 2022 season when the Lions couldn’t stop a mobile quarterback and couldn’t stop a downhill running game. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the type of offense they’ll see again from Atlanta. Rookie running back Bijan Robinson is elusive and quick. He made Green Bay look bad at times in Week 2, and while Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder hasn’t developed as a passer yet, he’s mobile. Throw in the injuries to running back David Montgomery and Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions momentum has faded. The Falcons are getting three points from DraftKings, but may win outright.

We haven’t talked much about the Falcons defense, but it’s pretty good. They’ve only allowed 505 yards through two games and have three sacks. Also the Falcons have one of the game’s best kickers in Koo. Don’t be surprised if this one comes down to a field goal at the end. The Lions don’t look like a team that can make a big play when they need to right now.

DraftKings Falcons -3.