Falcons vs. Lions: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info, Game Time and More

The Detroit Lions’ motivation will be tested against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.

All the Lions players have to play for is pride, but after suffering a letdown to the lowly Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, even that motive has to be watered down. Atlanta, on the other hand, is fired up after silencing its haters and will look to keep them quiet away from the Georgia Dome.

 Where: Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

When: Saturday, Dec. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN, NFL Redzone or online at Game Rewind

Listen: Sirius XM Radio: 93 or online at Audio Pass

Betting Line: Atlanta by 4.5, according to Bovada

What’s At Stake?

With 12 wins and the NFC South already locked up, Atlanta doesn’t have much to play for. This past week, the Falcons even earned the respect they have  been demanding with their 34-0 thrashing of the New York Giants.

Clinching home-field advantage is the last thing the Falcons can accomplish in the regular season. Sitting 1.5 games ahead of the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta would have to lose out for the NFC’s road to the Super Bowl to not go through the Georgia Dome.

For the 4-10 Lions, it will all be about getting Calvin Johnson to 2,000 receiving yards. He’s at 1,667 right now so Matthew Stafford would really have to feed him the football. That’s pretty much all what’s at stake—that, and of course, Jim Schwartz’s job.

 

Falcons Injury Report (via ESPN, as of Dec. 18)

William Moore, S, Questionable

Lions Injury Report (via ESPN, as of Dec. 18) 

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Questionable

Jacob Lacey (knee), CB, Doubtful

Nick Fairley, DT, Questionable

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start: Atlanta Defense

Don't be fooled by the Lions' No. 2 ranked offense. They dropped 10 measly points on the Cards last week.

Stafford is also quickly turning into an interception machine. And on that note...

Sit: Matthew Stafford

If you have a capable backup, sit Stafford.

The past three weeks, he's tossed just three touchdowns to five interceptions. Atlanta doesn't present a matchup that'll enable him to bounce back either. This past Sunday, Atlanta's secondary held Eli Manning to just 13 completions on 25 pass attempts for 161 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sleeper: Jacquizz Rodgers

Last week, Rodgers had a rough outing, rushing for 25 yards on a disappointing 2.3 yards a pop. But while he only reeled in one reception as well, he has 44 on the season and has value in a PPR format.

What They’re Saying

Jeff Darlington of NFL Network said if you weren’t already giving the Falcons the respect they deserve after their triumph on Sunday, you’re out of reasons to doubt:

"

Can we also give the Falcons some respect, too? Our research department says Atlanta was the 1st team in 5,859 days to shut out the Giants.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) December 17, 2012"

Mike O’Hara of DetroitLions.com said that, aside from Megatron chasing Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yards record, there’s no sort of redemption the Lions can earn in 2012: “There is absolutely nothing left to lean on this season, and everyone—coaches and players, and coaches especially—should know that.”

Falcons Player to Watch: Michael Turner

What in the world happened to The Burner?

Turner’s career yards-per-carry average is 4.5. Last year, he showed no signs of decline averaging his typical 4.5 yards a pop. In 2012, though, he’s only averaging 3.7.

Just imagine how dominant the Falcons would be if Turner reverted back to his old ways for their playoff run. Beanie Wells rushed for 67 yards and three touchdowns on the Lions last week so Detroit may be able to ignite the 30-year-old back.

 

Lions Player to Watch: Calvin Johnson

Who else?

Megatron going off is the Lions’ best, if not only way to defeat the Falcons in this one. He’s averaging nine receptions for 147 yards over his past seven games. Of course, Detroit earned a record of 1-6 over those weeks, so Johnson needs to blow up just to keep the contest close.

Key Matchup: Matthew Stafford vs. Thomas DeCoud and William Moore

Atlanta’s safeties are the leaders of the most opportunistic defense in the NFL. DeCoud and Moore have combined for a whopping 10 interceptions this season. They're drooling over the opportunity to match up against Stafford and add to their totals.

Detroit’s QB threw three interceptions last week against the Arizona Cardinals—that makes 15 on the season for a passer who’s connected with at least one opposing defender in all but four games.

 

On the Hot Seat: Jim Schwartz 

Detroit just got stomped by a team led by Ryan Freaking Lindley. Following a 10-6 season and their first playoff berth since 1999, the Lions have taken a huge step back and are now 4-10. 

It's difficult enough for any head coach to keep his job after losing 10—or in Schwartz's case, potentially 12—when his team entered the campaign with expectations to compete for a conference title.

Now, throw in the fact that the Lions have been under a microscope all year long due to seemingly endless off-the-field drama, and the only way Schwartz is still in Detroit next season is if he has a phenomenal relationship with the franchise's ownership.

Prediction

The Lions haven’t won since Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Atlanta, on the other hand, is coming off its most defining win of season. Yes, the game is in Detroit and the Falcons have been shaky on the road, but the Lions have been shaky everywhere.

Atlanta by 7

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels