,
Shawn Windsor
,
Dave Birkett
| Detroit Free Press
Free Press sports writers predict the NFL’s Week 7 Detroit Lions game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 1 p.m. from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Carlos Monarrez
The Falcons have a potent offense, but their defense is terrible. The Lions are a more complete team and they’ve won two of their past three games – both on the road. Besides, coach Matt Patricia knows a thing or two about beating the Falcons. And this time, he won’t need a 28-3 comeback to do it. Pick: Lions 34, Falcons 28
Shawn Windsor
The Falcons can score. They just can’t defend. Matthew Stafford takes advantage and has his best game of the season. Pick: Lions 31, Falcons 27
READ: Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: Dave Birkett’s scouting report, prediction
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Dave Birkett
The Lions hammered one of the worst teams in the NFL last week, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and while the Falcons and Jaguars have identical 1-5 records, Atlanta is the far superior team. The Falcons aren’t great by any means, but they’re similar to the Lions in that they have an explosive offense, subpar defense and tendency to blow late-game leads. The Falcons played their best all-around game of the season in last week’s win over the Minnesota Vikings, and there’s a chance interim coach Raheem Morris will permanently wake them from their malaise. But if the Lions truly fashion themselves as playoff contenders — and they do — this is a game they absolutely cannot afford to lose. Neither one of these teams has stopped a good offense yet, so whoever’s holding the ball last should win. Pick: Falcons 31, Lions 30
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