The defense has been airtight in the preseason, not allowing an opponent to score a touchdown in 13 quarters. Indianapolis, Tennessee and Baltimore were all kept out of the end zone. On Sunday, however, the game will change against a Detroit offense brimming with firepower and a potentially revived running game after the acquisition of Rudi Johnson via waivers from Cincinnati.
A win from the Falcons would be the first sure indication that the defensive prowess of the preseason was not a fad, but a sign of head coach Mike Smith and defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder’s defensive personas hitting home with the players. After jumping out to a 6-2 start last season, the Lions sulked back into their decade-long slump, winning only once in their last eight games to finish 7-9. The NFC North cellar dweller can be defeated, but it will lie on the Falcons’ pass rush and running game to deliver. Here’s what to watch for:
1.) CALVIN AND CO.
Atlanta’s favorite son, former Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, returns to Atlanta licking his chops at the notion of facing two starting cornerbacks that average 5-foot-10. Starting corners Chris Houston (5-11) and Brent Grimes (5-9) will have a mountain of a challenge sticking with the 6-4, 225-pound Johnson, who, despite nagging injuries in his first campaign, toughed out a productive rookie campaign in which he scored four touchdowns and led the Lions in yards per reception (15.8). Not only does Johnson hold the height and strength advantage, but he can stretch the field and test the safeties with his sub-4.4 speed. Oh, and there’s still a guy named Roy Williams lining up on the other side.
Houston and Grimes can hold their own in man-to-man situations, but only for so long. The pressure then falls on the front four to pressure quarterback Jon Kitna (4,068 passing yards in 2007). The Lions had just as many offensive line mishaps as the Falcons last season, so watch for John Abraham to get around the edge. Weakside end Jamaal Anderson has as good a chance as any to earn the first regular-season sack of his career against a Lions’ line that allowed 54 sacks last season.
2.) MORE TURNER, PLEASE
Now that precaution has taken a backseat to victories, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey can take the training wheels off of his workhorse running back. Michael Turner has been waiting five NFL seasons for full-time carries, and this is his chance. Turner will get his 25 carries and, by all indications, will eclipse 100 yards against a porous Detroit front line that lost its biggest run-stuffer in Shaun Rodgers (Cleveland). Don’t expect, however, for Matt Ryan to sling it 30-plus times. Mularkey was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 15-1 season of 2004. Their quarterback was a then 22-year-old rookie named Ben Roethlisberger, who finished fifth in the NFL in quarterback rating (98.1), while only attempting 21 passes per game. The Steelers rode the league’s most potent running attack to the Big Game, limiting Roethlisberger to managing the game and minimizing his negative impact as a rookie. Expect the same from Mularkey in grooming Ryan, as long as Turner has a pulse and two healthy legs.
3.) BUT WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS …
The Lions aren’t going to be fooled. They know that Turner is going to see the bulk of the ball. Thus, when they stack seven or eight in the box, Ryan has to utilize play action to hit receivers downfield. In preseason, Ryan showed savvy in changing cadences and going with hard snap counts to fool opposing front lines into offsides and encroachment penalties (vs. Indianapolis). Once Ryan can get the defense looking to jump the snap count, penalties will be draw or the defensive ends will over-pursue on draw plays to Turner. If the offensive line continues to perform at a high level, the key to the offense’s success will lie in Ryan being able to keep the defense honest while limiting mistakes. Sure-handed Harry Douglas and Brian Finneran will be critical to conversions on third down and Ryan’s confidence in his debut as the starter.
The Falcons couldn’t have it any better to start the season: an opponent with a sour history who still poses an offensive threat to challenge a questionable Falcons defense. If my previous three points come to fruition, the team can start the season with a win. Final Score: Falcons 21, Lions 17.
Horne can be reached at ehorne@scoreatl.com.
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