Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction: Trust the Lions on the Road?
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction: Trust the Lions on the Road?
The Detroit Lions stunned the Arizona Cardinals at home, winning 30-12 last week. The Lions have now won two of their last three games and have serious momentum.
At the beginning of the season, it was obvious that the Lions wouldn’t finish the year without a win. There was too much heart and plenty of games that could’ve gone the Lions way. Now those types of games are finally going the Lions’ way.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have continued to trade wins for losses recently and just lost badly to the San Francisco Giants, 31-13.
Is it safe to take the Lions, on the road, against a poor Falcons team? Here are our picks and predictions for an NFC game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons.
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Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
Date: Sunday, December 26, 2021
Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Where To Watch: FOX
Click here for the latest Lions vs. Falcons odds
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons Injury Report
Lions
Questionable: T Will Holden (Undisclosed), OL Jonah Jackson (Back), DE Julian Okwara (Ankle), RB D’Andre Swift (Shoulder)
***Note: There are many players on the COVID list currently but many could return in time to play in this game. This includes Jared Goff, who says his symptoms are as bad as a mild cold.***
Falcons
Questionable: LB Daren Bates (Groin), DL Jonathan Bullard (Knee), WR Tajae Sharpe (Questionable)
Out: WR Calvin Ridley (Personal)
Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction
Without Jared Goff, I wouldn’t trust the Lions. But I have a feeling that Goff could be back in time for this game despite having COVID right now. So I’ll cap this game as if Goff is playing along with other questionable players like D’Andre Swift.
The Lions are averaging just 17.4 points per game while allowing 26.1 points per game on the season. However, in the last three weeks, the Lions have scored at least 29 in two of three games and won both games where they scored 29 or more points.
The offense is all of a sudden capable of dominating. The confidence in this group shows and the team is really starting to build on something as we get to the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the Falcons are 6-8 but aren’t necessarily out of the playoffs. If the Falcons win out, who knows what could happen. However, the Falcons have really struggled to protect quarterback Matt Ryan in the pocket and have looked absolutely dreadful on the defensive end this year.
The Falcons have struggled against the rush, they’ve struggled to tackle, they can’t get pressure on the quarterback consistently and they’ve been getting inconsistent play from the secondary. That all totals to the defense allowing over 375 yards per game on the defensive end this year.
I wouldn’t say the Lions have played better defense throughout the season, but I do think this team is much better than they were earlier this season. So I’m going to give the Lions a chance against the Falcons. This is a winnable game and they’re getting a decent amount of points at +5.5.
Bet this, only with Goff in, of course.
Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons Pick
- PICK: Lions +5.5 (-110)
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Line Movement
Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.