OK, so we've all been here before. In fact, too many times have we, as Lions fans, been here before. We are mulling over a loss, and wondering what will happen in the upcoming game. The Lions will face Atlanta, in what may prove to be a contest between two teams that are leading contenders for being wildcard playoff teams in the NFC. Atlanta has struggled, but is coming off a pretty strong victory against an up and coming Carolina team. Matt Ryan hasn't exactly been himself, but the last two games he seems to have settled down, as has his offensive line. Michael Turner is coming off his best performance of the year, having run for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. But make no mistake, the Falcons still have some work to do. They will be facing a Lions team, at home, coming off a disappointing performance in front of their home crowd. Despite a poor showing by the offensive line, Matt Stafford and the special teams units, the Lions still had a chance to win. The 49ers were helped by the rotten work of the officials, but that is no excuse. Compound the loss with the fact that the team has now likely lost two of their running backs in the same week, three for the season, and it could be easy for them to take the low road and start singing "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me".
I don't expect that will be the case.
The Lions know they have to stop Michael Turner. They did a very bad job of filling gaps and working against the trap and counter plays of the 49ers. Rest assured that the Lions likely were drilled on the diagnosis and disruption of those types of plays this week, as the Falcons like to work those too. The linebackers were filling the wrong gaps, so watch for them to take a more careful approach to reading the guards and filling the gaps behind them. Offensively the Lions will need to protect Matt Stafford better, and Stafford himself has to play a better game. He was inconsistent against the 49ers, and at times seemed to feel pressure that wasn't really there. The running game will now be left in the hands of Maurice Morris, who did well last season when Jahvid Best was experiencing double turf toe later in the year.
So, how will the Leos respond? Do they get worked up, rally the troops, and get after it? Or will they fold up their tents if the Falcons score early? Based on what they did in Dallas and against Minnesota, I'd say the Lions will put up a fight until the end. They had better be prepared to do just that, because much like the San Francisco game this is going to come down to the wire.
