DETROIT LIONS (9:30 a.m. Sunday in London)
Record: 5-2.
Sunday's result: def. New Orleans 24-23.
The skinny: The Lions are in their first season under coach Jim Caldwell. While they have a dazzling array of offensive weaponry, the Lions' resurgence has been led by the defense. They had eight sacks in a dominating performance against Minnesota on Oct. 12. It was the first time they had that many sacks in a game since 1997. And on Sunday they sacked Drew Brees three times. Through the first six games, the defense has been downright stingy. They allowed 1,624 yards, an average of 270.7, the fewest since 1991. The Lions also allowed 82 points, the fewest through six games since 1970. Before facing the Saints, they rank first in yards and points allowed (13.7). An interception Sunday of Brees set up the game-winner for Matthew Stafford, who threw two TD passes in the final 3:38 of the game.
Series history: The Lions lead the series 23-12, but the Falcons have won the past three games including a 34-21 win in 2008, 23-16 in 2011 and 31-18 in 2012. In the previous meeting, quarterback Matt Ryan completed 25 of 32 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns.
State of the union: It takes a lot to convince a tough Detroit crowd that the Lions are legitimate contenders. They've been through the Wayne Fontes years (1980-96), where they annually started fast before fading. Those actually were the good old days before they headed into the Matt Millen era (2001-2008). He'll go down as one of the worst general managers of the modern era. So you can understand some of the skepticism. Here's how Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp describes it: "It happens to every new Detroit Lions coach. They arrive seeking separation from solemn franchise history. Why fault them? They had nothing to do with a football community's institutional skepticism, deeply ingrained through decades of storied incompetence or, perhaps worse, unreciprocated optimism. But even in those moments of triumph, there remains a touch of incredulity in the general lack of acceptance in the immediate bottom line. The Lions are (5-2). They're 2-0 in their division. Their defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL. That's not worthy of parades. But it at least merits praise. Yet Jim Caldwell (recently ) found himself deflecting concerns regarding an underachieving offense, a quarterback (Stafford) paid an elite-level salary but playing more like a mistake-minimizing "game manager," an offensive line allowing too many sacks and a still unreliable kicking game."
Three things: 1) With former Georgia Tech standout Calvin Johnson hobbled by a high ankle sprain, former Seattle receiver Golden Tate has stepped up for the Lions. He's been the Lions' best and most consistent weapon early this season and had 10 receptions against the Saints; 2) The Lions have had kicking woes and recently signed former Denver kicker Matt Prater. He was with the Falcons briefly in 2007; 3) Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah was selected NFC defensive player of the week for his 2.5-sack performance against the Minnesota Vikings.
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