Falcons and Lions Bring NFL Back to London
On Sunday, the NFL will make it’s return across the pond to London as the Atlanta Falcons “host†the Detroit Lions. As we preview the key players and components of each team, week 8 is set to have some smashing good games. It is definitely a unique opportunity for the NFL to impress a crowd that is different from their usual scene and this game will be a solid match-up of quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford, Detroit, and Matt Ryan, Atlanta, are two of the more outstanding players at their position in the league. Both have been able to register 4,000 yard seasons multiple times and they are both on track to beat that feat yet again this season.
Matthew Stafford
The Lions have definitely struggled this season with their best wide receiver, Johnson, but they somehow are sitting at the top of the NFC North, 5-2. The biggest accomplishment for Stafford and his offense was coming back from a 13 point deficit against New Orleans in the last four minutes. Stafford was able to score two late touchdown drives, beating the Saints 24-23. The defense has played a major role in that successful record and must be able to keep the Falcons offense and Matt Ryan under control if they are going to come out on top.
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan had an impressive 13 touchdowns in the first seven games this season – only Andrew Luck has throw more passing yards than Ryan. However, the Falcons are 2-5. The Falcons can boast the second worse defense in the league in points conceded and they are the third worst in the league in yards per game – suffering big time in the run game. It is going to be hard for the Falcons defense to stop Stafford and it is going to be hard for Ryan to compensate offensively.
With both quarterbacks needing to depend on their team to let their true talent shine, this match-up is going to put on a great show for our friends across the pond.
