Can the Falcons win a home game away from the Georgia Dome? A lot of the London locals tie the rise in the international interest in the NFL in part to the popularity of the John Madden computer game. They believe that the locals will turn out in force to support Detroit because Calvin Johnson was the 2013 cover boy. So, the home game on the road could turn into a legitimate road game. At least the Falcons had some practice with their silent count in the last real home game, when the Chicago Bears fans took over the Georgia Dome.
Can the Falcons slow Reggie Bush? While Joique Bell is the Lions' leading rusher, Bush is still a major threat on the perimeter and in the passing game. Bell has 97 touches, while Bush has 74. Bush ranks second on the team with 25 receptions and could be a mismatch in space for the Falcons' linebackers. "With Bush you want to keep him inside," defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. "We don't want to let him get outside the pocket. He's an explosive player."
Who's going to keep Ndamukong Suh from rampaging into the Falcons' backfield all day? Right guard Jon Asamoah will be the primary blocker on Suh. He'll get some help from center James Stone, and the Falcons may have to leave a running back in for some bonus protection. Suh is rated as the seventh-best nose tackle/defensive tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus. He has three sacks, three quarterback hits and 18 hurries. Bad blood between Suh and the Falcons dates to a 2011 game when the offensive line had a sullied reputation in some quarters for blocking through the whistle. Suh irked the Falcons by taunting Ryan when he was down, according to former center Todd McClure.
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