Game Recap
The Atlanta Falcons were the 30-26 winners over the Detroit Lions when they previously met in September of 2017. On Sunday? They had no such luck. It could have gone either way late during winning time for Atlanta or Detroit, but it was the Lions snatching the 23-22 victory. The game was as close as the oddsmakers predicted, but the Falcons had been the slight favorite coming in.
Detroit QB Matthew Stafford was slinging it as he passed for one TD and 340 yards on 36 attempts. That was the first 300+ yard effort for Stafford this season. DE Trey Flowers was in the mix, too, providing Detroit with four touchdowns.
Special teams collected 11 points for Detroit. K Matt Prater booted in three field goals, the longest a 51-yarder in the third quarter, which ultimately accounted for the difference in the contest.
The losing side was boosted by RB Todd Gurley, who punched in two rushing touchdowns.
Atlanta's defeat pushed them down to 1-6. The win got the Lions back to even at 3-3.
The Falcons will take on the Carolina Panthers at 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina is coming in off of a close loss (27-24 to the New Orleans Saints). Detroit will take on the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. ET next Sunday at home. Detroit will need a sterling offensive performance if they want to penetrate an unbending defense that has allowed an average of only 19.17 points per game.