Last week, the popular pick was the Packers over the Falcons; in fact, experts overwhelmingly picked Green Bay to leave Atlanta undefeated. A thriller ensued and Desmond Ridder led a fourth-quarter comeback victory. Once again, experts are not picking the Falcons to beat the Lions.
ESPN
- Seth Wickersham: Lions
- Lindsey Thiry: Lions
- Mike Clay: Lions
- Dan Graziano: Falcons
CBS Sports
- Pete Prisco: Lions
- John Breech: Lions
Sports Illustrated
- Albert Breer: Lions
- Connor Orr: Falcons
- Matt Verderame: Lions
- Gilberto Manzano: Lions
The Athletic
- Tashan Reed: Lions
- Mark Kaboly: Lions
- Chad Graff: Falcons
- Zach Rosenblatt: Falcons
- Zac Jackson: Lions
- Larry Holder: Lions
- Josh Kendall: Lions
- Nick Kosmider: Lions
- Zak Keefer: Lions
The Lions are about 4-point favorites, coming off an overtime loss to the Seahawks. Detroit will be at a health disadvantage as Atlanta hopefully welcomes back Jeff Okudah, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Troy Andersen. The Lions could be missing as many as four starters as C.J. Gardner-Johnson and James Houston hit the injured reserve, David Montgomery nurses a thigh injury and the statuses of a pair of offensive linemen are up in the air.
The Falcons aren’t going to be a popular pick until they prove this hot start is no fluke. This will be the most difficult challenge of the 2023 season. The Lions have a formidable offensive line, which is a big challenge for this new-look Falcons defense. On the opposite side, Geno Smith and Seattle went up and down the field last week. Desmond Ridder and the offense could be in line for a really big game this week.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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