Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 23, 2014 15:21:00 GMT
Falcons vs. Lions preview
By Vaughn McClure and Michael Rothstein
Both the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions spent the early part of the week soaking in the sights and sounds of London. Now it's time to get to work.
We will see if either team shows lingering effects from the trip across the pond as they prepare to do battle at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The 2-5 Falcons will try to end a four-game losing streak, while the 5-2 Lions hope to remain atop the NFC North. Technically, it's a home game for the Falcons, whose only two wins came at home this season. The Lions are 2-1 on the road.
ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure and ESPN Lions reporter Michael Rothstein break down the matchup:
McClure: Mike, I see the Lions were able to win against the Saints without Calvin Johnson. I'm not sure where he stands right now coming off the ankle injury, although he expressed optimism upon arriving in London. What do you expect from the Lions if they have to play without him? Who will pick up the slack?
Rothstein: If the Lions are without Johnson again this week, I expect something similar to what we've seen the past two weeks: a more even run/pass split and heavy usage of receivers Golden Tate, Jeremy Ross and Corey Fuller, who caught the game-winner Sunday. Tate has played exceptionally well in Johnson's hobbled state and then his absence the past two weeks, going over 100 yards in three of those four games. Tate has blossomed into a true No. 1 receiver with Johnson out.
A lot more concern should be on the other Lions' injuries. Beyond Johnson, the Lions have Reggie Bush (ankle), Eric Ebron (hamstring), Joseph Fauria (ankle) and Brandon Pettigrew (lower body) who are at least nursing some sort of injury. That's a lot of guys to deal with in an offense that so often shifts formations.
Atlanta's defense, meanwhile, seems like it can't stop anyone. How do the Falcons game plan for Tate and Joique Bell along with the rest of the Lions' options?
McClure: Well, there's an interesting side story in terms of defending Tate. Falcons free safety Dwight Lowery, who played with Jacksonville last year, was unable to finish the season due to an illegal block thrown by Tate when Tate played with Seattle. I don't see Lowery going the cheap-shot route to get back at Tate, but you better believe he'll try his best to make sure Tate doesn't beat the secondary with a long ball.
The biggest thing for the Falcons is getting pressure up front, and the sudden emergence of Jonathan Massaquoi has helped them improve in that category. In terms of stopping the run, yes, the Falcons have had their issues, allowing 137.7 yards per game. I'd like to see them try a little more run blitzing. Despite being woeful most of the season, the Falcons actually showed remarkable signs of improvement in Baltimore.
When I think of the Lions, the second name that comes to mind after Johnson is Ndamukong Suh. I've head the talk about this contract and I've heard the trade rumors. How has he adjusted to the outside chatter? And surely he knows he can feast on this beat-up Falcons offensive line, right?
Rothstein: He hasn't talked about it, but there is no doubt he and the rest of the Detroit defensive line will see the numbers and the turnstile the Falcons have become on the offensive line and be pretty excited about it. On the field, Suh has been exactly what he has been in the past -- a dynamic force who makes opposing offenses pay attention to him. As far as his contract situation, he doesn't talk about it, won't talk about it and became somewhat agitated after it was reported he was planning on leaving the Lions after the season. On the field, though? It hasn't been an issue at all.
Since you mentioned Suh, Matt Ryan has been sacked on 5.3 percent of his attempts this season and he's facing a defense that's fifth in the NFL in sack percentage. How does Atlanta keep him upright?
McClure: Maybe the Falcons can borrow a couple members of the Queen's Guard in London to help protect Ryan. Obviously, it's going to be even more of a challenge now with Ryan ready to take snaps from his third starting center. Undrafted rookie James Stone will get the start, and that is likely to be quite an adjustment for Ryan and the rest of the offense.
Ryan needs better play all-around, particularly from tackles Jake Matthews and Gabe Carimi. Matthews is gutting through an ankle injury, while Carimi didn't show as much fight as he had the last time out. Left guard Justin Blalock also struggled against the Ravens, which is bad news if he can't provide adequate help for Stone. The Falcons could use more chipping from the backs and tight ends, but then that takes away from what they want to do with their multiple-receiver sets. Another option? Ryan can get on his knees and pray for help.
The last I read about Matthew Stafford, he was stuck on the interstate trying to get to work. I never viewed him as a special quarterback when I used to cover the Bears in the NFC North. Although the Falcons are shaky on defense, why should they fear Stafford?
Rothstein: They should fear Stafford because when he is on point, he has one of the strongest arms in the game and two receivers who, when healthy, can crush defenses. That has been the issue with him, though. He intermittently goes from being a quarterback who is about to jump to the next level to one who just won't get there. He hasn't been taking as many deep shots this year and I think that has helped him in some ways. But make no mistake, he is still learning the new scheme from Joe Lombardi -- one that will look somewhat familiar to Falcons fans who don't like the Saints. But Stafford has the potential to be a top-level quarterback in this league and that's why they need to fear him.
The toughest thing for Stafford this season has been the pressure he has been facing on a regular basis. Does Atlanta have enough to get up in his face and make him wish he never came across the pond, or will this be easy going for him?
McClure: As I mentioned earlier, I do believe Massaquoi has elevated his game in recent weeks. And this would be an ideal time for London-born Osi Umenyiora to have a breakout game. But I don't see the Falcons bringing consistent pressure. That's why they're allowing an NFL-high 8.3 yards per dropback. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has tried to dial up some different pressures, but he has limited personnel as his disposal. I still believe the Falcons need to try to blitz more, and linebacker Paul Worrilow got a sack blitzing last week. So to answer your question, Stafford has an opportunity to put up big numbers.
By Vaughn McClure and Michael Rothstein
Both the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions spent the early part of the week soaking in the sights and sounds of London. Now it's time to get to work.
We will see if either team shows lingering effects from the trip across the pond as they prepare to do battle at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The 2-5 Falcons will try to end a four-game losing streak, while the 5-2 Lions hope to remain atop the NFC North. Technically, it's a home game for the Falcons, whose only two wins came at home this season. The Lions are 2-1 on the road.
ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure and ESPN Lions reporter Michael Rothstein break down the matchup:
McClure: Mike, I see the Lions were able to win against the Saints without Calvin Johnson. I'm not sure where he stands right now coming off the ankle injury, although he expressed optimism upon arriving in London. What do you expect from the Lions if they have to play without him? Who will pick up the slack?
Rothstein: If the Lions are without Johnson again this week, I expect something similar to what we've seen the past two weeks: a more even run/pass split and heavy usage of receivers Golden Tate, Jeremy Ross and Corey Fuller, who caught the game-winner Sunday. Tate has played exceptionally well in Johnson's hobbled state and then his absence the past two weeks, going over 100 yards in three of those four games. Tate has blossomed into a true No. 1 receiver with Johnson out.
A lot more concern should be on the other Lions' injuries. Beyond Johnson, the Lions have Reggie Bush (ankle), Eric Ebron (hamstring), Joseph Fauria (ankle) and Brandon Pettigrew (lower body) who are at least nursing some sort of injury. That's a lot of guys to deal with in an offense that so often shifts formations.
Atlanta's defense, meanwhile, seems like it can't stop anyone. How do the Falcons game plan for Tate and Joique Bell along with the rest of the Lions' options?
McClure: Well, there's an interesting side story in terms of defending Tate. Falcons free safety Dwight Lowery, who played with Jacksonville last year, was unable to finish the season due to an illegal block thrown by Tate when Tate played with Seattle. I don't see Lowery going the cheap-shot route to get back at Tate, but you better believe he'll try his best to make sure Tate doesn't beat the secondary with a long ball.
The biggest thing for the Falcons is getting pressure up front, and the sudden emergence of Jonathan Massaquoi has helped them improve in that category. In terms of stopping the run, yes, the Falcons have had their issues, allowing 137.7 yards per game. I'd like to see them try a little more run blitzing. Despite being woeful most of the season, the Falcons actually showed remarkable signs of improvement in Baltimore.
When I think of the Lions, the second name that comes to mind after Johnson is Ndamukong Suh. I've head the talk about this contract and I've heard the trade rumors. How has he adjusted to the outside chatter? And surely he knows he can feast on this beat-up Falcons offensive line, right?
Rothstein: He hasn't talked about it, but there is no doubt he and the rest of the Detroit defensive line will see the numbers and the turnstile the Falcons have become on the offensive line and be pretty excited about it. On the field, Suh has been exactly what he has been in the past -- a dynamic force who makes opposing offenses pay attention to him. As far as his contract situation, he doesn't talk about it, won't talk about it and became somewhat agitated after it was reported he was planning on leaving the Lions after the season. On the field, though? It hasn't been an issue at all.
Since you mentioned Suh, Matt Ryan has been sacked on 5.3 percent of his attempts this season and he's facing a defense that's fifth in the NFL in sack percentage. How does Atlanta keep him upright?
McClure: Maybe the Falcons can borrow a couple members of the Queen's Guard in London to help protect Ryan. Obviously, it's going to be even more of a challenge now with Ryan ready to take snaps from his third starting center. Undrafted rookie James Stone will get the start, and that is likely to be quite an adjustment for Ryan and the rest of the offense.
Ryan needs better play all-around, particularly from tackles Jake Matthews and Gabe Carimi. Matthews is gutting through an ankle injury, while Carimi didn't show as much fight as he had the last time out. Left guard Justin Blalock also struggled against the Ravens, which is bad news if he can't provide adequate help for Stone. The Falcons could use more chipping from the backs and tight ends, but then that takes away from what they want to do with their multiple-receiver sets. Another option? Ryan can get on his knees and pray for help.
The last I read about Matthew Stafford, he was stuck on the interstate trying to get to work. I never viewed him as a special quarterback when I used to cover the Bears in the NFC North. Although the Falcons are shaky on defense, why should they fear Stafford?
Rothstein: They should fear Stafford because when he is on point, he has one of the strongest arms in the game and two receivers who, when healthy, can crush defenses. That has been the issue with him, though. He intermittently goes from being a quarterback who is about to jump to the next level to one who just won't get there. He hasn't been taking as many deep shots this year and I think that has helped him in some ways. But make no mistake, he is still learning the new scheme from Joe Lombardi -- one that will look somewhat familiar to Falcons fans who don't like the Saints. But Stafford has the potential to be a top-level quarterback in this league and that's why they need to fear him.
The toughest thing for Stafford this season has been the pressure he has been facing on a regular basis. Does Atlanta have enough to get up in his face and make him wish he never came across the pond, or will this be easy going for him?
McClure: As I mentioned earlier, I do believe Massaquoi has elevated his game in recent weeks. And this would be an ideal time for London-born Osi Umenyiora to have a breakout game. But I don't see the Falcons bringing consistent pressure. That's why they're allowing an NFL-high 8.3 yards per dropback. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has tried to dial up some different pressures, but he has limited personnel as his disposal. I still believe the Falcons need to try to blitz more, and linebacker Paul Worrilow got a sack blitzing last week. So to answer your question, Stafford has an opportunity to put up big numbers.