The Detroit Lions have lost 2 in a row after their 5-0 start, as they fell to the Atlanta Falcons 23-16.
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Lions. The San Francisco 49ers handed them their first loss of the season last weekend, and then the Lions lost running backs Jahvid Best (concussion) and Jerome Harrison (brain tumor). Harrison is out for the remainder of the season and Best is out indefinitely as he recovers from his second concussion this year.
Detroit was able to scrape together a respectable running game, getting a total of 104 yards from Maurice Morris (50 yards), Keiland Williams (44 yards) and wide receiver Nate Burleson (10 yards on two carries).
Lions QB Matthew Stafford wasn’t able to reach his normal standards, going 15 of 32 for 183 yards and 1 TD, breaking his streak of 8 consecutive games with at least 2 TDs. Stafford was also sacked 3 times and hit 5 times.
Calvin Johnson hauled in 115 yards receiving on only 5 receptions, including a 57-yard TD, but it wasn’t enough to top the Falcons.
The Lions gave Matt Ryan a tough afternoon, as he was intercepted twice and sacked three times while going 20 of 34 for 218 yards with one TD passing and another TD taking the ball in from the 1-yard line. Falcons RB Michael Turner racked up 122 yards on 27 carries, including a 50-yarder.
The Lions have now fallen to 4-2, with both of their losses coming at home. They go to Denver next weekend to face Tim Tebow and the Broncos.
The 4-3 Falcons go into their bye week with their biggest win of the season, and their first win against a team with a winning record. After the bye, they face the winless Indianapolis Colts.
