The Falcons are set to face their third start opponent from the NFC North in quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ford Field.
“They’ve got some explosive guys at running back, wide receiver and tight end,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “On the defensive side with their pass rushers. It’s going to be a heck of a matchup.”
The Falcons escaped in Chicago before body-slamming Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the regular-season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons will finish their swing through the NFC North when the Vikings come to town on Dec. 3.
The Falcons had to come away impressed from the homework assignment, which was to watch the Lions and Giants on Monday football.
The Lions easily handled the Giants, 24-10, and look impressive in doing it.
“We did the advance of most of the film already,” Quinn said. “Really a complete team in all three phases. I think we all know Stafford and the strength that he has and the receivers.”
The Lions offensive line is shaky, with Greg Robinson, the former No. 2 overall pick from Auburn, filling in at left tackle for Taylor Decker (shoulder).
“They have a new offensive line from last year,” Quinn said. “That’s a good bit of the change from last year to this year.”
Stafford’s main target is wide receiver Golden Tate, who’s had more than 90 receptions in each of the past three seasons. Marvin Jones caught a 27-yard touchdown pass against the Giants.
Tight end Eric Ebron is starting to come around and the Lions may finally have found a rushing attack to go along with Stafford’s aerial strikes.
Ameer Abdullah, who’s in his third season, rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries against the Giants. The Lions ran for 138 yards on 32 carries in the victory over New York.
Abdullah appeared to suffer a leg injury after a 34-yard run. He left the game and was held back when he tried to re-enter the action.
In the locker room, Abdullah denied suffering an injury, according to The Detroit News. A broken foot ended his season prematurely in 2016.
The Lions defense has been stingy early in the season. They have given up just 107 yards rushing in shutting down the Seahawks and Giants.
The Lions have also created five turnovers.
The Lions fine rookie middle linebacker Jarrad Davis, suffered a concussion and is in the league’s concussion protocol program.
Davis, who played at Florida and is from Kingsland, had six tackles and a sack before being injured.
Former Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow was playing at the Lions third linebacker, but was pulled from the game after getting beat on a long pass to tight end Jerell Adams.
Rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin replaced Worrilow at outside linebacker and played alongside of Tahir Whitehead in the Lions’ nickel defense.
The back end of the Lions defense is in good hands with free safety Glover Quin and cornerback Darius Slay.
Seahawks All-Pro CB Richard Sherman is the only player in NFL with more interceptions than Quin since 2013 with 18. Quin has 17 interceptions since 2013 and led the league with seven in 2014.
“Defensively, they are very good tacklers especially in the secondary,” Quinn said.
Worrilow, a former undrafted player from Delaware, played with the Falcons from 2013 to 2015.
“He could certainly tell them a lot,” Quinn said. “He’s a half coach anyway. Usually, players have to go play. I’ve never been one to get too concerned about the crossing of players. If you memorized all of our formations and plays you’d be dizzy by the time the plays started because there is quite a few.”
The Falcons’ special teams unit will be on alert also.
Lions rookie Jamal Agnew had an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Giants.
