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Week 1 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 21, Atlanta Falcons 34
What you need to know
| Detroit Lions |
Last season the Lions ranked dead last in points and yardage allowed and apparently little has changed. The Falcons jumped out to a 21--0 on their first three possessions, powered by a 62 yard TD pass, a 66 yard TD run, and a 67 yard TD drive.
In the second quarter QB Jon Kitna was seen yelling at offensive coaches on the sideline, but after the tirade Detroit rallied to score two touchdowns before halftime. Rookie RB Kevin Smith did not look out of place in his first NFL start. He showed patience, was able to pick up tough yards inside, and scored his first NFL touchdown in the second quarter. He also caught four passes. Newly acquired free agent Rudi Johnson saw limited duty, but his role will expand throughout the season.
Calvin Johnson averaged 15.3 yard for each of his seven receptions and Roy Williams caught three balls including one for a spectacular touchdown. After TE Dan Campbell injured his hamstring in the second quarter and Michael Gaines was also hurt, veteran reserve TE Casey Fitzsimmons saw playing time and caught one pass for one yard and one touchdown. Shaun McDonald caught four passes and Mike Furrey chipped in with two more.
Detroit gave up touchdowns on Atlanta's first three drives, surrended a total of 474 total yards and was never really in this game.
| Atlanta Falcons |
The new look Falcons scored on the third play of the game and roared out to a 21--0 lead before a raucous crowd in the newly remodeled Georgia Dome. Rookie QB Matt Ryan's first pass attempt resulted in a 62 yard touch down. Ryan completed nine of 13 attempts for 161 yards, and showed plenty of poise. Even on the rare occasion when he was flushed from the pocket he had his head up looking for targets downfield.
Free agent acquisition Michael Turner stole the show, however, as he set a Falcons' single game rushing record of 220 yards. He averaged ten yards per carry, scored twice, and had a third TD called back when Roddy White was flagged for holding. Jerious Norwood added 93 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Playing with the lead throughout the game limited the passing attack, but White caught two balls for 54 yards and Michael Jenkins' only catch went for 62 yards and a score. Atlanta ran for 318 yards, amassed 474 total yards, and controlled the game.
What you ought to know
| QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 24 - 33 - 262 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 0 - 0 |
After his team fell behind 21--0 in the second quarter Kitna was seen yelling at the offensive coaches on the sideline. After the tirade he rallied Detroit to two touchdowns before halftime, but there is only so much one player can do. Playing from behind throughout the entire game helped pump up his passing stats, which should happen on a fairly basis throughout the season if this game is any indication.
Kitna completed 24 of 33 for 262 yards and two touchdowns and achieved a QB rating of 103.03 His lone interception came when he threw inside as Roy Williams continued down the seam. Lawyer Malloy dove and made a great pick just before the ball hit the ground.
| RB Kevin Smith, Rush: 16 - 48 - 1, Rec: 4 - 32 - 0 (5 targets) |
The rookie runner from Central Florida averaged three yards per carry and scored his first NFL touchdown in the second quarter. He also caught four passes for 32 yards. Smith looks comfortable in the backfield and has tons of upside. He sets up blockers and isn't afraid of contact.
| RB Rudi Johnson, Rush: 3 - 14 - 0 |
The newly signed free agent saw limited duty. He carried twice for 14 yards but he also split out wide when Detroit went with an empty backfield. His role in the offense will increase throughout the season.
| WR Calvin Johnson, Rec: 7 - 107 - 0 (11 targets) |
It was a sour homecoming for the former Georgia Tech standout. Johnson led all receivers with seven balls for 107 yards and looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off last year. At times, he looked like a man among boys on the field.
| WR Shaun McDonald, Rec: 4 - 29 - 0 (6 targets) |
There is still room for McDonald in the new Detroit offense, especially when they fall behind by 21 points early. He was a key target in third down situations and made some tough catches.
| WR Roy Williams, Rec: 3 - 47 - 1 (7 targets) |
The leaping touchdown catch Williams made in the corner of the end zone just before halftime was spectacular. In the third quarter, however, after Kitna threw him a pass that was intercepted, he was not targeted again.
| WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (2 targets) |
Furrey made two tough catches in limited duty as Detroit played from behind throughout the entire game.
| TE Michael Gaines, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (4 targets) |
Gaines was injured but remained in the game. He caught two balls for 11 yards.
| TE Casey Fitzsimmons, Rec: 1 - 1 - 1 (1 targets) |
Pressed into service when Campbell and Gaines were injured, Fitzsimmons made his only target count for a one yard pass and six points.
| TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 1 - 21 - 0 (1 targets) |
Campbell injured his hamstring after catching a pass in the second quarter and did not return. He was replaced by Michael Gaines.
| PK Jason Hanson 0 - 0 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 3 points |
Hanson was perfect on all three extra points.
| DET Rush Defense |
The Lions made the Falcons look Super Bowl bound. As a team, Atlanta ran for 318 yards and Michael Turner set a single game team record 220 rushing yards. Just dreadful tackling. When Detroit thought things couldn't get worse they saw LB Ernie Sims carted off the field with an ankle injury.
| DET Pass Defense |
Rookie QB Matt Ryan only passed 13 times but completed nine, including five in a row. DE Dwayne White registered the only sack.
| QB Matt Ryan, Pass: 9 - 13 - 161 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 5 - -2 - 0 |
The Boston College rookie made one of the more memorable debuts in NFL history when his first pass attempt resulted in a 62 yard touchdown. He was only called on the throw 13 passes in the game, but he made the most of his opportunities, completing nine for 161 yards, one touchdown, and a QB rating of 137.0.
While Detroit did not present much of a challenge, Ryan was quietly efficient and seemed to settle into his role. As long as the running game stays strong he won't need to put up big numbers, but he looked to be capable of hitting receivers whenever he wanted.
| RB Michael Turner, Rush: 22 - 220 - 2, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets) |
Few players have had this kind of immediate impact after signing with a new team. Turner set a Falcons' single game rushing record of 220 yards, averaged a sick ten yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns. A couple of times during the game he actually looked tired. He ran hard and made some players miss, but he also had some monster holes to run through.
| RB Jerious Norwood, Rush: 14 - 93 - 1, Rec: 2 - 6 - 0 (3 targets) |
Norwood averaged 6.6 yards for each of his 14 carries, scored one touchdown, and also caught two passes. He is a good change of pace to Turner -- there aren't many backup runners who will put up 93 yards -- and he also averaged 32.5 yards on kickoff returns.
| RB Ovie Mughelli, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (1 targets) |
The 250 pound blocking back slipped out of the backfield and caught a three yard pass.
| WR Roddy White, Rec: 2 - 54 - 0 (2 targets) |
White caught two passes for 54 yards including a 46 yard reception in the third quarter.
| WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 1 - 62 - 1 (2 targets) |
Jenkins caught one pass, good for 62 yards and a touchdown. It was rookie Matt Ryan's first NFL TD pass.
| WR Harry Douglas, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0 |
The flashy rookie carried a reverse for seven yards.
| WR Adam Jennings |
In limited duty Jennings returned five punts for 15 yards.
| TE Ben Hartsock, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (1 targets) |
Hartsock recorded one pass reception for 17 yards.
| TE Justin Peelle, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (2 targets) |
The veteran TE caught one pass for 13 yards.
| PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 10 points |
Elam converted field goals from 50 and 25 yards and was perfect on all four PATs.
| ATL Rush Defense |
Detroit rookie Kevin Smith was limited to 48 yards and a three yard per carry average. Atlanta built a big lead and the Lions limited their rushing attempts.
| ATL Pass Defense |
Playing with the lead, Atlanta used a variety of deep zones allowing Kitna to throw shallow slants dunk the ball underneath. DE John Abraham registered three sacks.
