2020 Season Preview: Week 7 Lions at Falcons
The Lions travel to Atlanta in Week 7 for the second game of three in a row on the road to wrap up the month of October.
Atlanta is hoping to get off to an entirely different start to 2020, after an inauspicious 1-7 beginning to 2019.
Former NFL MVP Matt Ryan carried a heavy load last season, leading all NFL quarterbacks with 408 completions.
Despite the forgettable start, Atlanta did find a way to finish the season 6-2 behind a defensive resurgence, and will certainly carry some momentum into 2020.
The Lions' record to finish the 2019 season would tell you the exact opposite of what was just mentioned in regard to Atlanta.
Detroit wrapped up last season with eight consecutive losses -- all without Matthew Stafford, after a 3-4-1 start through the first half of the season.
The Lions’ offense is expected to be one of the best in the NFL this upcoming season when considering the return of Stafford, and the Falcons' defense only allowed 16.9 points per game over the final eight games last season.
This could make for a fun strength vs. strength matchup.
Falcons (2019: 7-9; tied for second in NFC South)
Key Additions:
RB Todd Gurley (via trade)
DE Dante Fowler (via free agency)
TE Hayden Hurst (via trade)
Key Losses:
CB Desmond Trufant
RB Devonta Freeman
OT Ty Sambrailo
Not mentioned under “Key Additions’’ is third-round pick Matt Hennessy out of Temple.
The center won’t start in 2020, but he should be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Alex Mack.
Continuing to build a stable offensive line will be vital for the Falcons moving forward, if they are to become less of a one-dimensional offense.
Replacing Freeman with Gurley seems like an ideal move for the Falcons heading into the future.
Gurley did deal with lingering injuries last season, but still pieced together a stellar season.
With Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones as the top targets for Ryan and now a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in Gurley, it feels as though the Falcons' offensive success will hinge on whether or not their offensive line can improve this upcoming season.
Lions (2019: 3-12-1, last in NFC North)
Key Additions:
CB Jeff Okudah (2020 first-round pick)
RB D'Andre Swift (2020 second-round pick)
LB Jamie Collins (via free agency)
S Duron Harmon (via trade)
NT Danny Shelton (via free agency)
CB Desmond Trufant (via free agency)
Key Losses:
NT Damon "Snacks" Harrison
RT Rick Wagner
LB Devon Kennard
RG Graham Glasgow
CB Darius Slay
There’s still uncertainty as to whether or not the Lions can consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
They tied for 29th in sacks a season ago, but hopefully, added some help for defensive end Trey Flowers in the form of Collins and Shelton.
The addition of Swift is particularly exciting for Lions fans because Stafford has never really had a consistent 1-2 punch at running back, and this could be the start of just that.
Losing perennial Pro Bowler Darius Slay felt imminent for Detroit, as the relationship between Slay and the team appeared to be going downhill.
Slay still has respect for Detroit and its 2020 first-round draft selection in Okudah, who Lions fans hope can take over the No. 1 corner spot for years to come.
What Happened Last Season
The Lions and Falcons haven’t squared off against one another since September of 2017 -- a 30-26 victory for Atlanta.
Had they played last season, your bet certainly would’ve hinged on whether the matchup was in the first half (1-7 start for Atlanta) or the second half (0-8 finish for Detroit) of the season.
All signs point toward improvement for both teams in 2020.
Falcons and Lions fans are both in search of a return to relevancy, but it’ll be easier said than done.
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