Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions: Comparing the Teams for Week 7

The Atlanta Falcons were able to hold serve in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, while the previously undefeated Detroit Lions stumbled at home to the San Francisco 49ers.

Atlanta received a huge boost in their playoff bid when Tampa Bay upset the Saints. The Lions notched their first loss and garnered national media attention for the shenanigans between coaches after the game.

Going into Week 7, let's see how these teams stack up against each other heading into Sunday's showdown.

The Better QB

Matt Ryan: 1,465 Yards Passing / eight TD / six INT / completing 61.5 percent of passes.

vs

Matt Stafford: 1,729 Yards Passing / 15 TD / four INT / completing 62 percent of passes.

Matt Stafford is outperforming most QBs in 2012. Only Aaron Rodgers (17) and Tom Brady (16) have thrown more TD passes this year.

The offensive play-calling for the Falcons may revert back to the 2010 run heavy attack. Matt Ryan threw the ball just 22 times in their Week 6 win. Matt Ryan has thrown for just 167 yards in Week 5, and 163 in Week 6 (both games in the Georgia Dome).

Advantage: Detroit Lions

The Better RB

Michael Turner: 499 yards rushing / 98 yards receiving / six rushing TD / 0 receiving TD

Jahvid Best: 390 yards rushing / 287 yards receiving / two rushing TD / one receiving TD

Turner's rushing yardage and touchdown production outshines Best's numbers so far. Javid Best has just suffered his second concussion of the season, possibly keeping him from playing in this sunday's affair. Even if Best is able to go on Sunday, his workload should be reduced.

Advantage: Atlanta Falcons

The Better Passing Targets

Roddy White: 34 Rec / 373 Yds / two TD

Tony Gonzalez: 30 Rec / 318 Yds / four TD

Julio Jones: 25 Rec / 358 Yds / 0 TD

vs

Calvin Johnson: 36 Rec / 564 Yds / nine TD

Brandon Pettigrew: 34 Rec / 321 Yds / two TD

Nate Burleson: 21 Rec / 221 Yds / one TD

There isn't a better WR in the league than Megatron (Calvin Johnson). The Atlanta area native is a physical freak of nature and is deserving of the praises heaped upon him.

Tony Gonzalez and Brandon Pettigrew are close enough to be considered a push in this contest. When trying to judge who is better, a gimped Julio Jones or a healthy Nate Burleson, Burleson gets the edge. The Falcons will probably give Harry Douglas more looks than Julio this game, to keep from creating a severe injury issue with Jones.

Advantage: Detroit Lions

The Better Blocking Team

In the first four weeks of the season, Matt Ryan took an absolute beating. Matt Ryan has been sacked 14 times, compared to Matt Stafford's 11. The Falcons have started mixing in many more max-protection packages to help reduce the pounding on their franchise QB.

The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line is better than Detroit's when it comes to manufacturing a running game. The Falcons are 16th in the league with 110 ypg rushing, compared to the Lions 24th-best 90.8 ypg.

With the extra help from the fullback and max-protection packages, the Falcons seem to have returned to their 2010 form. In the last three weeks, Ryan has only been sacked two times.

Advantage: Atlanta Falcons

The Better Defense

These two defenses are complete opposites.

The Lions are the sixth-best against the pass and the 26th-best against the run.

The Falcons are the 27th-best against the pass and the eighth-best against the run.

The Falcons are best when they run the ball effectively. The Lions are best when they pass the ball effectively. Both teams should be able to achieve success with their offensive game plan.

Advantage: Detroit Lions (strictly by the numbers)

The Better Special Teams

The special teams are just about even between these two teams. Hanson is 13-of-14, while Bryant is a perfect 8-of-8. The one FG that Hanson missed was over 50 yards.

The Lions are netting more yards per punt than the Falcons so far in 2011.

It is very possible that this game can come down to a field goal. If either of the kickers end up having an off day, it may cost their team the game.

Advantage: Push

The Better Chance of Winning

The Lions have the better QB, passing targets, defense and they are at home.

Compared to 2010, the Falcons are having a down year. Their wins have been against 2-4 Philadelphia, 2-3 Seattle and 1-5 Carolina.

The Lions' only loss came to a very good San Francisco 49ers club. There is a chance the Falcons can pull this game out, as anything can happen in the NFL (see Giants Super Bowl win vs. Patriots).

Advantage: Detroit Lions

Prediction: Lions 31 Falcons 20