The Atlanta Falcons will host the Detroit Lions in Week 7 as both teams look for their second straight win. This is a game you shouldn’t turn off until the final whistle blows. Both teams have been known to blow huge leads in the second half, though maybe the Falcons’ fortunes have changed now that Dan Quinn is no longer running the show.
Atlanta (1-5) destroyed the Minnesota Vikings 40-23 on Sunday in their first game under interim head coach Raheem Morris. Matt Ryan continued his strong season, throwing for 371 yards and four touchdowns, using the two-headed monster of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to perfection.
The Lions (2-3) are also coming off a blowout win—a 34-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both of Detroit’s wins this season have come on a road and it’ll be looking for a third one Sunday. Here’s how to watch the game, odds for the matchup, key injuries, and notable fantasy football start/sit considerations.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Lions: #18 Overall — #19 offense, #23 defense, #9 special teams
Falcons: #23 Overall — #22 offense, #25 defense, #22 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Lions: +2.5, +120
Falcons: -2.5, -136
Total: 56.5
Injury report
Lions
Coming Saturday
Falcons
Coming Saturday
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Lions
T.J. Hockenson, TE, $5,100
The Lions’ third-leading receiver, Hockenson caught his third touchdown in five games in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville. There could be a lot more where that came from against Atlanta, which has allowed more fantasy points to tight ends than any other team.
D’Andre Swift, RB, $5,400
Is there a new RB1 in Detroit? Sure looks that way. After playing sparingly to begin the season, Swift ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars. Adrian Peterson still received one more carry than his much younger counterpart, so there’s still reason to be skeptical about Swift’s stock, but a favorable matchup against Atlanta makes him an interesting play in Week 7.
Falcons
Hayden Hurst, TE, $4,400
Do not start Hurst this week. He’s coming off a great game against Minnesota, but the Lions’ numbers against tight ends are staggering. They have only allowed 10 catches for 96 yards all season, easily the best numbers in the NFL.
Calvin Ridley, WR, $7,300
You can’t go wrong with Ridley or Julio Jones, but Ridley has been the safer play this season, with four 100-plus-yard games in six weeks. The Lions are middle of the pack when it comes to defending the pass, not enough to scare fantasy owners away from starting Ridley.