The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons face off on Sunday in a Week 16 NFL showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. When these two teams faced off in October of 2020 it was the Lions that won 23-22.
Detroit has struggled this season sitting with a 2-11-1 record overall and they have gone 9-5 against the spread. While they have had so many issues this season, they looked good in the last game-winning 30-12 over the Arizona Cardinals. They are currently averaging 17.4 points while their defense is giving up 26.1 points per game. Jared Goff on the season has thrown for 3,007 yards, 17 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Goff is currently on the COVID list, and if he can’t go the Lions will turn to Tim Boyle who has thrown for 77 yards and two interceptions. The team is expected to get running back Jamaal Williams back and that is a big boost for this offense.
On the other side of this matchup is the Atlanta Falcons who sit with a 6-8 record overall and they have gone 6-8 against the spread. In the last game against the San Francisco 49ers the offense could only manage 13 points, while the defense gave up 31 points. The Falcons are averaging 18.4 points while their defense is giving up 27.4 points per game. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for 3,340 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Cordarrelle Patterson has also been strong this season rushing for 565 yards, and five touchdowns.
The Lions are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games. The Falcons are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games. The under is 5-1 in the Lions last six road games. The under is 5-1 in the Falcons last six games. The Lions are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The quarterback issue for the Lions is a big concern for me but even if Goff does play in this game, I think the Lions struggled. Matt Ryan is going to find success against this Lions defense, and that will be the difference as they cruise to the victory. Back the Falcons against the spread.