Predicting the Final Score of Lions vs. Falcons

By David Cuff @DaveCuff on October 23, 2014

This Sunday morning the Detroit Lions will be going up against the Atlanta Falcons in London. The Lions have won four of their last five games and it could have easily been five straight if they could make a field goal. The Falcons, on the other hand, have lost four games in a row, all by double digits. Three of those four losses came against teams that currently have a losing record, and two of those losses came to teams the Lions have already defeated this season by double digits. Needless to say, the Lions are the favorite to win Sunday.

The Falcons aren’t completely inept, at least not on offense. They have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball — led by Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White — and currently are fourth in the NFL in total offense. Even with that talented offense, Atlanta will likely struggle against the Lions’ dominant defense. Detroit’s defense currently ranks first in the league in least amount of yards per game given up, and second in the league in fewest points per game allowed. They have already come up big this season against the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, so Ryan may be in for a long morning.

The Lions’ offense has been up and down in the absence of Calvin Johnson, but they should be fine against an Atlanta defense that ranks dead last in the league in total defense. There’s an outside shot that Johnson plays Sunday, but he will more than likely be held out. Matthew Stafford will lead the way on offense along with Golden Tate, who is having a Pro Bowl caliber season.

I don’t expect this game to be close and wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit led the entire way. They are the superior football team in almost every aspect and will be hungry for their third straight victory going into the bye week.

Prediction: Detroit 27, Atlanta 13

David Cuff is a University of Michigan Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveCuff, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.