Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: Breaking Down Detroit's Game Plan

The Detroit Lions really hit the road for this week's contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Rather than playing in the Georgia Dome, this game is across the pond in London. 

What: Detroit Lions (5-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-5) in London

When: Sunday, October 26, 9:30 a.m. ET

Watch: Fox

Detroit is coming off an impressive late-game rally to overcome the New Orleans Saints 24-23. The Falcons were thoroughly overwhelmed in a trip to Baltimore, dropping a 29-7 decision to the Ravens. 

The tale of the tape strongly favors the Lions:

	Rushing Offense	Passing Offense	Rushing Defense	Passing Defense
Lions	31st	13th	2nd	7th
Falcons	23rd	5th	27th	29th

Atlanta especially struggles outdoors, completely negating any "home" advantage the Falcons might have had in the comfort of Georgia. 

Matt Ryan is a completely different quarterback when not playing at home. 

"

Worth mentioning again ... Matt Ryan career at home: 37-10, 76 TDs, 29 INTs Matt Ryan career away: 24-25, 81 TDs, 51 INTs

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) September 19, 2014"

Since that tidbit from Burke, Ryan has continued his road struggles...

Opponent	Att/Comp	TD	INT	QB Rating	Final Score
Minnesota	25/41	3	2	87.2	L 41-28
New York Giants	29/45	1	1	83.2	L 30-20
Baltimore	29/44	1	0	86.2	L 29-7

Perhaps the biggest advantage the Lions will get all season comes in this game. Detroit's dominating defensive front gets to face an offensive line that is completely decimated.

"

#Falcons place Peter Konz on IR - He joins Sam Baker, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley & Lamar Holmes as lineman done for season

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 20, 2014"

It wasn't a very good unit to begin with, but with those four starters and a replacement starter all on the shelf it's a serious problem for Ryan and the rest of the Atlanta offense. 

One of the issues that comes with shuffling lineups up front is problems picking up blitzes and defensive line gimmicks, like an end/tackle twist or a slow-played stunt. Detroit does these things very adeptly, as seen on this play against the Minnesota Vikings.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Lions deploy an unconventional three-man front with Ezekiel Ansah (circled), normally an end, playing inside linebacker. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

At the snap, Ansah actually drops two steps back before charging forward once the offensive linemen forget about him and focus on the front three as well as linebacker Josh Bynes (No. 57) feigning a blitz on the other side. 

Ansah gets a clean run at the quarterback, wrapping him up for a easy sack just as one of the ends (George Johnson) sheds a block and gets a paw on him too. 

Keeping the inexperienced line from getting comfortable, coupled with Ryan's road struggles, should allow the Lions defense to control the game.

One way Atlanta will try to overcome its issues is with the return game. Lions fans are all too familiar with the magic Devin Hester brings as the punt and kick return specialist from his days with the Chicago Bears. So is Jim Caldwell:

"

Jim Caldwell said Devin Hester "keeps you up late at night. As a matter of fact, he’ll make you wake up in the middle of the night."

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 22, 2014"

Hester is averaging 11.9 yards per punt return, including a touchdown, which is good for fifth in the league for players with at least five attempts. He's also the kick return man, though he's not as dangerous in that capacity; his 22.9 yards per return there ranks below the league average.

If ever there was a week for punter Sam Martin to have a great game, this is it. Fortunately, he's coming off an outstanding effort against New Orleans.

"

Unsung hero: @SamMartin_6. Four of his five punts downed inside the 20, including clutch coffin corner that went out inside the 1.

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) October 19, 2014"

The coverage units must show discipline in order to contain Hester. While Martin has been consistently strong punting, the Lions allow the 12th-highest average on opposing returns (thanks, ESPN). 

It is incumbent upon Don Carey, George Winn and the rest of the cover men to not overrun Hester or give him wide lanes to operate. Martin can help with smart directional kicking and good hang time.

Offensively, Detroit needs to try and exploit the Atlanta linebackers and safeties. The Falcons have major problems at the second level defensively.

	Coverage Grade	QB Rating Allowed
Kroy Biermann	-6.0	105.0
Joplo Bartu	-4.1	94.6
Paul Worrilow	-4.2	123.3
Prince Shembo	0.5	97.6

One way to attack is by isolating a linebacker in coverage. Baltimore's offense did this quite effectively last week. Here's one play where the Ravens took advantage of a favorable matchup created by the formation.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The running back motions out of the backfield, forcing the defense to declare its coverage on the play. The safety on the opposite side rotates up to a single-high position. This is an easy read for Joe Flacco, and it should be for Matthew Stafford too.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Immediately after the snap the safety retreats. This leaves the tight end isolated on the linebacker with no help over the middle of the field.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Flacco makes a confident, anticipatory throw here to lead his receiver beyond the trailing linebacker. The coverage help is occupied by the underneath receiver.

It's not a simple throw, but it is one Stafford can make if he trusts what he sees in coverage.

And there's the rub. Stafford absolutely has the ability to operate plays like this, manipulating the defense and eviscerating the vulnerable coverage. Yet for whatever reasons—missing Calvin Johnson, poor protection, conservative mindset—he's not consistently attempting to make these sorts of throws. 

This is a game where he can revert to more of his old gunslinger ways. The Falcons have just four interceptions in their seven games (Detroit has eight). Other than linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, they don't offer much of a pass-rushing threat. Atlanta has just seven sacks, one-third of Detroit's total. 

Even if the Lions running game continues to sputter, Stafford has plenty of ability to lead the offense to success. It's up to No. 9 to seize the day in the land of Robert Herrick. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Detroit.