NFL Week 7: 15 Players to Watch During the Detroit Lions-Atlanta Falcons Game

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons face off in an NFC Week 7 matchup this coming Sunday. The Falcons are coming off an impressive win against the lowly but exciting Carolina Panthers. Yet their season has been somewhat of a disappointment. Prior to the regular season, they were considered an NFC powerhouse, but have struggled out of the gate and are only 3-3.

The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, are second in the NFC, sporting a 5-1 record and are quickly becoming the NFL's darling team after being in the NFC's cellar for many, many years, This impressive Lions team is coming off their first regular-season loss, a close 25-19 loss to fellow 5-1 team the San Francisco 49ers.

A marquee matchup this week, the Lions-Falcons will surely be an entertaining game. Players like the Lions' Calvin Johnson and the Falcons' Dunta Robinson will bring electricity and life to this exciting game. Therefore, here are the 15 players to watch during this weekend's Detroit Lions-Atlanta Falcons game.

Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner

Can the Lions D-line stop Michael Turner before he breaks a tackle?
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

One of the best running backs in the league, Michael Turner is also one of the toughest to bring down. Very similar to the running back the Lions faced last week, 49ers running back Frank Gore, Turner is expected to have a strong game against the Lions. 

Expect at least 20 carries for at least 100 yards.

Detroit Lions RB Maurice Morris

Handout/Getty Images

If Jahvid Best's concussion rules him out for Sunday's game, the nod goes to Morris to man the running attack for the Lions. Still struggling with running the ball this season, the Lions are starving for another big game from their backs, wanting more after seeing Best's huge game on Monday night two weeks ago.

Keep your eye on Morris in this game—he can also effectively run screen plays and look for him to run in between the tackles, something Best struggles with.

Detroit Lions RB Ronnie Brown

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Picked up yesterday in exchange for Jerome Harrison in a trade with the Eagles, Ronnie Brown will get touches if Morris struggles. Brown hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2006 but is still an exciting, explosive player.

I do not expect much from Brown in Week 7; he's still getting used to the Lions' playbook, but it will certainly be exciting seeing Brown in the Lions' Honolulu blue.

Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

An arguably elite NFL quarterback, Matt Ryan is the undisputed leader of this Falcons team. Yet, he is struggling so far this year. He has thrown eight touchdowns but also six interceptions.

I expect the Lions to rush and blitz Ryan whenever he steps back to throw. If the Lions can successfully shut down Ryan and his strong arm, it'll be completely up to the Falcons' running attack.

Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Julio Jones did not play in Week 6 and is probable so far for Week 7 against the Lions. But if he does play, watch out, Lions secondary. Jones is having a splendid rookie season thus far, with 358 receiving yards, good for second on the Falcons roster behind Roddy White's 373 receiving yards.

I've always been a fan of Julio Jones ever since his playing days at Alabama. He is an explosive player with blazing speed. If he does not play, it will be a huge relief for the Lions. If he does, watch out.

Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This 2011 NFL season isn't even halfway over, and Stafford is already having a career year. He hasn't missed a game thus far (thank the Lord) and is playing at an elite quarterback level. His 98.2 QB rating is fourth in the NFL, and he ranks third in the NFL in touchdowns, with 15.

Stafford has so many available targets, which makes his job so much easier. A strong Falcons secondary, though, could shut down Stafford and his receivers. If the 49ers could shut down Calvin Johnson, why can't the Falcons do it?

Atlanta Falcons DE Ray Edwards

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards will lead this Falcons defensive line against the Lions' running attack.

He and fellow end John Abraham each have two sacks on the season and will look for penetration against the Lions' average offensive line.

Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

It's pretty obviously why we should keep our eyes on Calvin Johnson.

If you have been living under a rock the past six weeks, I'm terribly sorry.

Detroit Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

The Lions tight end ranks second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He is a great target for Matt Stafford and had an effective game fighting off the 49ers' elite linebackers. The Falcons linebacking corps are certainly not as strong at the 49ers.

Look for Stafford to hook up with Pettigrew throughout the game, especially in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez

Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

The greatest tight end in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez is still going strong. His four touchdowns are up on the list for tight ends this season, and Gonzalez is an always a sure-handed receiving option for Matt Ryan. Expect he and Pettigrew to have similar numbers, if they each have big games.

Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Widely regarded as one of the NFL's top receivers, White is having somewhat of an off year. Could this be contributed to the great start by Julio Jones?

If Jones cannot go in Week 7, expect White to get A LOT of targets against this Lions secondary, which is mediocre at best.

Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh

Leon Halip/Getty Images

A scary good player, Suh will lead this Lions rush against Matt Ryan and his receivers. But, his main job is to stop Michael Turner. Suh and fellow DT Nick Fairley will have to plug up the holes during the run and stop Turner from having a big, big game.

When Ryan steps back to pass, Lions fans hope it'll be Suh who brings him down. If he does, expect the Lions fans to "Suuuuhhhhhhh!" him all day long.

Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This is Fairley's game to break out. He has no tackles, no sacks, no nothing, expect playing in two games this season and his career.

He is expected to be a solid starter for the Lions for years to come alongside Suh, and this Sunday is his time to make a statement. My prediction for Fairley come Sunday? Two sacks on quarterback Matt Ryan.

Atlanta Falcons K Matt Bryant

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

He hasn't had much of a season thus far, but playing in another dome could help Bryant. His lone effective game this season came in Seattle, where he kicked three field goals and three extra points. Considering this could be a high-scoring game, I expect a solid game from Bryant.

Jim Schwartz and Mike Smith

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Although they are not players, it'll be interesting to watch these coaches, especially after what happened last week between Schwartz and 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Honestly, I don't think something like this will happen again, but, people will watch Schwartz and Smith professionally handshake after the game.

Obviously this was something Harbaugh couldn't do.