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ATLANTA DETROIT |
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| 50 | 31 Final 18 |
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101 | ATLANTA | -160 | 102 | DETROIT | +140 |
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All Games | 12-2 | +9.8 | 8-5 | 5-9 | 26.5 | 14.1 | 377.4 | (6) | 1.3 | 18.5 | 10.1 | 354.4 | (6.1) | 1.9 | Road Games | 5-2 | +2.8 | 4-2 | 4-3 | 27.4 | 14.0 | 401.9 | (6.2) | 1.0 | 20.7 | 11.1 | 357.1 | (6.2) | 1.4 | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +0.5 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 25.7 | 11.3 | 346.3 | (5.7) | 0.7 | 14.3 | 7.7 | 389.0 | (6.3) | 2.7 | Dome Games | 7-1 | +5.7 | 4-4 | 2-6 | 25.7 | 14.6 | 365.6 | (5.9) | 1.5 | 18.1 | 10.5 | 362.6 | (6.1) | 2.2 |
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Offense (All Games) | 26.5 | 14.1 | 22.1 | 31:14 | 24-90 | (3.7) | 26-38 | 68.5% | 287 | (7.5) | 63-377 | (6) | (14.2) | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 24.3 | 12 | 20.2 | 30:25 | 27-118 | (4.4) | 22-35 | 62.5% | 245 | (7.1) | 62-363 | (5.9) | (14.9) | Offense Road Games | 27.4 | 14.0 | 24.1 | 31:29 | 24-85 | (3.5) | 29-41 | 71.2% | 317 | (7.8) | 65-402 | (6.2) | (14.7) | Defense (All Games) | 18.5 | 10.1 | 18.2 | 28:46 | 26-125 | (4.9) | 20-33 | 61.1% | 229 | (7) | 58-354 | (6.1) | (19.2) | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.7 | 11.1 | 20 | 30:00 | 26-111 | (4.3) | 22-36 | 61.2% | 246 | (6.9) | 62-356 | (5.8) | (15.7) | Defense Road Games | 20.7 | 11.1 | 18.4 | 28:31 | 25-126 | (5) | 20-33 | 62.3% | 231 | (7.1) | 58-357 | (6.2) | (17.2) |
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Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 13-6 | 46.4% | 0-0 | 20.0% | 1-37 | (24.9) | 1-11 | (7.5) | 4-27 | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 13-5 | 38.5% | 1-0 | 47.7% | 3-60 | (23.5) | 23-2 | (10) | 6-53 | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 13-7 | 52.2% | 1-0 | 20.0% | 2-43 | (25) | 1-9 | (7.3) | 3-23 | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.9 | | 12-5 | 40.6% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 3-70 | (22.7) | 2-15 | (9) | 6-43 | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 38.4% | 1-0 | 49.4% | 3-63 | (23.1) | 18-2 | (8.7) | 6-53 | Stats Against (Road Games) | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | | 12-6 | 47.6% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 3-70 | (21.3) | 1-8 | (7) | 4-27 |
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All Games | 4-10 | -10.3 | 4-9 | 10-4 | 23.6 | 10.7 | 406.5 | (5.7) | 1.9 | 27.1 | 12.4 | 337.6 | (5.6) | 1.2 | Home Games | 2-4 | -4.4 | 1-4 | 4-2 | 25.3 | 14.0 | 420.5 | (5.9) | 1.8 | 26.7 | 13.0 | 353.5 | (5.8) | 1.2 | Last 3 Games | 0-3 | -6 | 0-3 | 2-1 | 21.0 | 14.7 | 383.0 | (5.1) | 2.3 | 33.3 | 15.0 | 314.3 | (5.5) | 1.7 | Dome Games | 2-6 | -8.1 | 1-6 | 6-2 | 23.2 | 11.7 | 400.4 | (5.7) | 2.1 | 29.0 | 14.0 | 340.0 | (5.7) | 1.0 |
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Offense (All Games) | 23.6 | 10.7 | 24.1 | 32:36 | 25-105 | (4.2) | 27-46 | 59.8% | 302 | (6.6) | 71-406 | (5.7) | (17.2) | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 21.9 | 10.9 | 19.9 | 31:38 | 27-117 | (4.3) | 21-35 | 60.3% | 225 | (6.4) | 63-341 | (5.4) | (15.6) | Offense Home Games | 25.3 | 14.0 | 24.3 | 33:17 | 23-96 | (4.2) | 28-49 | 58.2% | 324 | (6.6) | 72-420 | (5.9) | (16.6) | Defense (All Games) | 27.1 | 12.4 | 19.1 | 29:12 | 26-119 | (4.6) | 22-34 | 63.0% | 219 | (6.4) | 60-338 | (5.6) | (12.4) | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 21.9 | 11.1 | 19.2 | 30:12 | 28-123 | (4.5) | 20-33 | 61.0% | 212 | (6.3) | 61-335 | (5.5) | (15.3) | Defense Home Games | 26.7 | 13.0 | 19.2 | 28:50 | 25-121 | (4.9) | 22-36 | 60.5% | 233 | (6.5) | 61-353 | (5.8) | (13.3) |
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Stats For (All Games) | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.9 | -0.6 | 14-6 | 42.5% | 1-0 | 27.3% | 2-40 | (20) | 2-22 | (9.2) | 7-64 | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 14-5 | 37.8% | 1-0 | 45.5% | 2-60 | (24.7) | 20-2 | (8.9) | 7-58 | Stats For (Home Games) | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.8 | -0.7 | 15-7 | 47.3% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 2-36 | (18.2) | 3-27 | (9.7) | 6-57 | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.2 | | 13-5 | 36.3% | 0-0 | 83.3% | 3-77 | (23.5) | 2-22 | (10.4) | 6-52 | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 36.6% | 1-0 | 51.1% | 3-64 | (23.2) | 20-2 | (9.1) | 7-56 | Stats Against (Home Games) | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | | 13-4 | 34.2% | 1-1 | 80.0% | 3-66 | (24.6) | 2-21 | (12.8) | 6-57 |
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| Average power rating of opponents played: ATLANTA 19.4, DETROIT 20 |
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10/28/2012 | @ PHILADELPHIA | 30-17 | W | 3 | W | 43 | O | 37-146 | 22-29-246 | 0 | 24-92 | 21-35-178 | 0 | 11/4/2012 | DALLAS | 19-13 | W | -3.5 | W | 47 | U | 26-123 | 24-34-330 | 0 | 18-65 | 25-35-312 | 0 | 11/11/2012 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 27-31 | L | -2 | L | 53.5 | O | 18-46 | 34-52-408 | 1 | 29-148 | 21-32-292 | 1 | 11/18/2012 | ARIZONA | 23-19 | W | -9 | L | 43.5 | U | 24-58 | 28-46-296 | 6 | 26-137 | 11-27-41 | 1 | 11/25/2012 | @ TAMPA BAY | 24-23 | W | -1 | T | 51 | U | 24-79 | 26-32-345 | 2 | 21-50 | 20-31-276 | 0 | 11/29/2012 | NEW ORLEANS | 23-13 | W | -3 | W | 54.5 | U | 23-124 | 18-33-159 | 1 | 23-101 | 28-50-335 | 5 | 12/9/2012 | @ CAROLINA | 20-30 | L | -3 | L | 46.5 | O | 11-35 | 34-49-327 | 1 | 32-195 | 23-35-280 | 0 | 12/16/2012 | NY GIANTS | 34-0 | W | 0 | W | 49.5 | U | 38-129 | 23-28-265 | 0 | 21-97 | 13-25-159 | 3 | 12/22/2012 | @ DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/30/2012 | TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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10/28/2012 | SEATTLE | 28-24 | W | -3 | W | 43 | O | 22-84 | 34-49-331 | 1 | 19-133 | 25-35-236 | 2 | 11/4/2012 | @ JACKSONVILLE | 31-14 | W | -6 | W | 44 | O | 34-149 | 22-33-285 | 0 | 20-64 | 27-38-215 | 2 | 11/11/2012 | @ MINNESOTA | 24-34 | L | -3 | L | 46 | O | 17-60 | 28-42-308 | 2 | 35-189 | 24-32-214 | 0 | 11/18/2012 | GREEN BAY | 20-24 | L | 3 | L | 53.5 | U | 24-110 | 17-39-252 | 4 | 29-95 | 19-27-219 | 1 | 11/22/2012 | HOUSTON | 31-34 | L | 3 | T | 48.5 | O | 23-106 | 31-61-419 | 1 | 28-205 | 29-48-296 | 1 | 12/2/2012 | INDIANAPOLIS | 33-35 | L | -7 | L | 51.5 | O | 29-138 | 27-46-313 | 1 | 18-87 | 24-54-372 | 3 | 12/9/2012 | @ GREEN BAY | 20-27 | L | 5.5 | L | 50 | U | 32-135 | 27-45-251 | 2 | 25-140 | 14-24-148 | 1 | 12/16/2012 | @ ARIZONA | 10-38 | L | -5.5 | L | 43.5 | O | 22-84 | 24-50-228 | 4 | 29-99 | 14-21-97 | 1 | 12/22/2012 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/30/2012 | CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | ATLANTA: New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter isn't nearly as run-happy as departed play-caller Mike Mularkey, so this offense won't be nearly as ground-heavy as it's been in recent seasons. Atlanta was largely a man-blocking team under Mularkey, but Koetter runs a mix of man and zone, requiring an adjustment for the offensive line. As for the backs, Michael Turner is declining, and Jacquizz Rodgers has carved out a role as a change-of-pace back who will get the ball in a variety of ways. Koetter coached 5-foot-6 Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville, and while MJD is thicker, Koetter won't hesitate to use the 5-foot-6 Rodgers. Koetter tends to not mess around with a lot of play-action in the red zone, so near the goal line is where Turner will continue to earn his money. Koetter likes to get his receivers stretching the field, especially on play-action, and he's always been able to find ways to get the ball to his tight ends, which is good news for Tony Gonzalez. Roddy White should again be Matt Ryan's No. 1 target, and Julio Jones will be targeted more frequently downfield. One of Koetter's biggest challenges is to improve the screen game, which was non-existent in Atlanta. That's why Rodgers could be in for a much bigger role. He also plans on utilizing the no-huddle offense that the Falcons used effectively at times last year. The Falcons have a decent overall defense, but they lost their middle linebacker Curtis Lofton to the Saints. He'll be replaced by Sean Weatherspoon, who displayed outstanding range on the outside last season, but may take some time to adjust to the new role. The addition of CB Asante Samuel instantly improves Atlanta's secondary because he has the ability to make opposing quarterbacks pay for trying to avoid throwing at Brent Grimes, who is also an opportunistic playmaker capable of covering No. 1 receivers. DE John Abraham was the only player to surpass four sacks last season. Abraham can't keep his 10-sack production up forever, but he's still a solid tackler who has the ability to pop the football loose. Expect another productive season from the 34-year-old. | | DETROIT: The Lions couldn't run the ball last year, so they pretty much stopped trying: They were the NFL's most pass-heavy offense, throwing 66.4 percent of the time. When they do run it's often out of a spread passing formation; more than 40 percent of their running plays were out of the shotgun. Jahvid Best will take the majority of the reps as long as he's healthy, with Kevin Smith and Mikel Leshoure rotating in. Leshoure figures to be in line for short-yardage and more traditional running formations, and he could see a handful of short touchdowns as the team's goal line back. This is an aggressive downfield passing game that has Matthew Stafford looking to get the ball to Calvin Johnson on just about every play. They'll start using Titus Young to stretch the middle of the field, and Nate Burleson is often targeted at the line of scrimmage (rookie Ryan Broyles is his heir apparent). Brandon Pettigrew is pretty much a possession wide receiver working the middle of the field, whereas No. 2 TE Tony Scheffler, who only plays about 30 percent of the snaps, stretches the middle of the field. Best and Smith are heavily involved in the screen game. Not surprisingly, the Lions threw a ton in the red zone last year. They scored 37 touchdowns from 19 yards or less last year, and only eight were rushing. When they throw in the red zone, Johnson is targeted most of the time with Pettigrew not far behind. The Lions defense has improved tremendously over the past four years. Detroit still allows too many points and yards against the league's top offenses, but this unit has the ability to punish below-average offenses. Expect breakout years from young star DLs Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh, who will enter the season injury-free and out to prove to the world that he can dominate legally, and not just stomp on unprotected offensive linemen. DL Kyle Vanden Bosch started 2012 strong before fizzling in the second half of the season (13 solo tackles, three sacks). He's certainly on the downside of his career. Stephen Tulloch didn't match his gaudy 2010 tackle numbers after coming over from Tennessee to join a unit that has two active outside linebackers in DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant, but he's reliable in the middle, especially against the run. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (ATLANTA-DETROIT) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Falcons-Lions Preview* =======================
By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer
The Atlanta Falcons hope a strong finish to the regular season will help build enough momentum to avoid another early playoff exit.
After earning a playoff spot last season, the reeling Detroit Lions are relegated to the role of spoilers this time.
The visiting Falcons can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs by handing the Lions a seventh consecutive loss Saturday night.
Atlanta (12-2) went 13-3 in 2010 and 10-6 last season but lost its first playoff game each season. The Falcons also fell in Week 16 both seasons, but are poised to end that trend and build on Sunday's 34-0 rout of the New York Giants.
"I think it's important that you're playing efficiently and effectively in December and January, and I think that's what every team is striving for," said Falcons coach Mike Smith, who is 0-3 in the playoffs. "I think over the last two seasons, the teams that were playing well in December and got really rolling were the teams that had the most success and the teams that ultimately were the world champions. So I think momentum is very important."
The Falcons, who host Tampa Bay next weekend, need one win to secure home-field advantage but also can clinch the No. 1 seed with a Green Bay loss or tie and San Francisco defeat. Regardless, Atlanta would feel more comfortable entering the playoffs on a three-game winning streak.
"We still have some things in front of us, in terms of the regular season, that we want to accomplish and get done," said quarterback Matt Ryan, who has already broken his own team records for completions (369) and passing yards (4,202) in a season.
Ryan was 23 of 28 for 270 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Giants. He's thrown six TDs and one pick in the last three games while posting a 102.7 passer rating - third-highest in the NFL over that span.
Julio Jones caught two of the scores Sunday, giving him four TDs in the last four games. Michael Turner ran 16 times for 52 yards but found the end zone for a fifth straight game. Thomas DeCoud recorded his team-leading sixth interception as the Falcons held New York to 256 total yards en route to posting their first shutout since a 24-0 win at Oakland on Nov. 2, 2008.
Turner gained 122 yards while Ryan threw for 218 with a touchdown and two interceptions in Atlanta's 23-16 win at Detroit last season.
Avoiding a third consecutive loss to the Falcons is not the only means of motivation for the Lions (4-10), as they're also trying to avoid their first seven-game skid since their 0-16 season of 2008. A playoff team last season at 10-6, Detroit bottomed out with Sunday's 38-10 loss to an Arizona team that was riding a nine-game losing streak.
"You have something to prove every week regardless of winning streak, losing streak, what happened the previous week," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "This is a week-to-week business. The people that keep their eyes on that, that are consistent from week to week, are the people that are successful in this league."
With its playoff hopes gone, Detroit can possibly postpone the Falcons' home-field advantage plans and even end Chicago's postseason chances in Week 17.
"You always want to have something positive going into the next season," defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "We're going to definitely see Chicago twice next year. We're going to see, possibly, Atlanta, hopefully next year in the playoffs or some situation like that. You want to play as best as possible and get used to these teams."
Against Arizona, Detroit, which lost its previous five games by an average 5.2 points, managed 312 total yards - 94.5 less than its NFC-leading average - and two of Matthew Stafford's three interceptions were returned for TDs.
"People are competitive, people have pride. People have confidence in themselves," said Stafford, who has thrown one TD and four picks in the last two games. "I think that's what helps people bounce back from stuff like this."
The only real bright spot for Detroit is star Calvin Johnson, who needs 182 yards to break Jerry Rice's single-season record of 1,848 receiving yards from 1995. Johnson, who caught 10 passes for 121 yards Sunday, has averaged 9.3 receptions and 147.0 yards over the last seven games. However, he only has five touchdowns all season.
Johnson has caught 12 passes for 222 yards with a TD in two games versus Atlanta.
Game Notes: |
| Last Updated: 5/11/2024 9:48:03 AM EST. |
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