October 28, 2020
Article by Allison Smith
Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons
Even with the referees spotting the Lions 7 points early, the Falcons were close and the game went to the wire. Lesson not-learned, you cannot play Prevent Defense against a good, experienced quarterback. Todd Gurley accidently scored the go-ahead touchdown, but left too much time on the clock. Is that really Gurley’s fault? He knew the plan, you could see him try to stop, he didn’t know the hole would open up so quickly. Everyone can blame the loss on Gurley. I do not.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Lions had 6 actual plays that culminated in the scoring of their game-winning touchdown. Passes of 13, 22, and 29 yards before the 11-yard touchdown to tie the game. Tight end TJ Hockenson had the first reception and was headed out of bounds. The defense played it perfectly. Rookie AJ Terrell hits Hockenson and stops his movement with a shoulder to his stomach, forcing him to not be able to get out of bounds. Then, Hockenson tries to spin off, Terrell continues to hold on, long enough for Isaiah Oliver and Foye Oluokun to join and ensure an inbounds tackle. Precious seconds wound off the clock from Hockenson’s continued movement and the inbounds tackle. At this point, the Lions had used all of their timeouts on the Falcons’ last drive.
Yet still, the next two plays of over 20 yards a piece lead to the 3 seconds remaining, enough time for a touchdown play.
However, this was not the only causes for the loss. The keys to the loss on Sunday. The early game penalty providing an extra down and touchdown for the Lions. Late game, after the Lions uncharacteristically miss a field goal, Matt Ryan fumbles the ball and the Lions get the ball back at the same original spot, and 3 plays later, get that field goal back.
There were self-inflicted wounds. Untimely penalties. Giving up sacks at the wrong time. On a crucial defensive 3rd and 1, the Falcons (technically) had 12 men on the field. Poor execution in the last two minutes of the first half, giving up a score. And after an 89-yard drive, on 4th and 5, instead of going for the manageable field goal, the Falcons go for the first down and Ryan makes an ill-timed throw that is tipped by the defender. If Ryan’s throw to Ito Smith is accurate, it is a touchdown. If they kicked the field goal, 3 points on the board.
Detroit clearly had a better game plan defensively than Atlanta did offensively. Detroit forced Atlanta to have long drives, while eating up time, but not allowing big plays. Detroit was able to make those big plays, twelve of them as a matter of fact. Passes from 16 to 32 yards throughout the game. Matthew Stafford does not like check downs or the underneath, so when he drops back to throw, he’s going long. The Falcons playing their zone, was not working. When in man-to-man, the defense was much more successful. But, in the end, you cannot give up big yards on a scramble play near the end of game.
Once again, Clemson rookie Terrell was a stand out. While Terrell only had 4 tackles, he is always in good coverage and contesting passes, and had what should have been key to the game noted above. Keanu Neal seems to finally be back to 100% and was very physical and moving around the field. Neal led the team in tackles with 11 and a sack on Stafford. Another consistent standout was Oluokun who had 9 tackles and a pass defended. Kendall Sheffield finished with 6 tackles, Steven Means with 5, 1 for loss, Deion Jones had 4 tackles, 2 for loss, and a sack. Rookie Mykal Walker had 3 tackles and is really getting an eye for the pro game with his increased playing time. Grady Jarrett only had 2 tackles, but 4 quarterback hits and good pressure on the day.
Atlanta had another goal line stand Sunday, even with the referees helping the Lions, again. Jarrett was called for a roughing the passer hit, Jarrett tapped Stafford from behind, just as the ball was released and tried to help him not fall to the ground. The refs flagged the Falcons and gave the Lions 15 yards on an already successful play. At the goal line, Dante Fowler hard stopped Adrian Peterson before Peterson could score. After another questionable penalty, the Falcons were backed up from the 3 to the 1 1/2, but had the ball.
Then, the Falcons offense took the ball 98 yards for a touchdown. Detroit was playing cover two much of the day forcing the Falcons to run the ball. The Offensive struggled against the zone coverage, forcing Ryan to take the check downs and stuffing the run. Gurley had 23 rushes for 63 yards, one of 13 yards and 2 touchdowns. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley did have long receptions of 28 and 27 yards, but all other receptions were under 20 yards. Jones caught 8 of 9 balls thrown his way for 97 yards, while Ridley caught 5 of 7 for 69 yards and a touchdown and 2-point conversion. Russell Gage left but came back after being listed as questionable, and caught 6 passes for 54 yards.
On Tight Ends Day, Hayden Hurst had 6 receptions for 68 yards. Hurst getting more involved in the offense, making receptions, then speeding for additional yards is becoming an increasing asset to the offense. Both other tight ends, had no receptions, but both logged a penalty during the game.
This week, the Falcons lose by SCORING a touchdown. They lost on an onside kick, with no time on the clock, a backup quarterback scoring 3 touchdowns, allowing big comebacks. What is next? Don’t ask. There is a game on a short week, during a tropical storm.
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