A pair of 2-0 teams who’ve fared extremely well out of the gate will collide on Sunday, as the high-flying Atlanta Falcons set their sights on the Detroit Lions in the Motor City.
Sportsbook opened the Falcons as 3-point road favorites for the matchup.
- The Falcons are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games in the early afternoon.
- The Lions are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games in the early afternoon.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of the Falcons’ last 11 games.
Atlanta is coming off an impressive showing against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC championship game rematch, as the Falcons cruised to a 34-23 victory over Aaron Rodgers and company in their flashy new stadium. The Falcons scored 31 of the game’s first 38 points to run away with the contest in the first half.
The talented group of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman has paved the way for Atlanta, but Mohamed Sanu has been a pleasant surprise after collecting a solid 85 yards against Green Bay. Despite their high-scoring ways, these teams have a penchant of playing to the UNDER when they meet. In the previous seven between the Falcons and Lions, the UNDER is 6-1.
It’s hard to tell if the Lions are an elite bunch or the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants are simply not good. Either way, the defense has stepped up in a big way for Detroit, as the unit picked off the Cardinals three times while holding their backfield to 2.5 yards per carry. They dominated New York’s offensive line to the tune of eight quarterback hits and five sacks.
Matthew Stafford is living up to his massive $135-million contract so far, evidenced by the veteran going 44-for-62 for 414 yards on the year. Stafford has thrown six touchdowns compared to only one interception in that span. Based on those numbers alone, it’s not crazy to expect him to keep the Lions competitive against Ryan’s Falcons.
Getting the job done at home has been easy for the Lions lately, as Jim Caldwell’s crew is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in its last eight in Michigan.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Detroit Lions were listed as 3-point underdogs at Sportsbook and other online Sportsbooks, with the total listed at one point at 49.5.
OddsShark prediction models picked the Lions to win this game on Sunday 24-17. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Detroit brings a 2-0 record (2-0 ATS) to the Week 3 betting matchup against the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons, who are 1-1 ATS against the spread. OVER/UNDER betting has seen Detroit go 1-1 so far and the Falcons go 1-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Detroit vs Atlanta injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 12-rated Detroit Lions and the No. 2-ranked Atlanta Falcons, according to the NFL Power Rankings here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Detroit Lions' No. 6-ranked offense (29.5 PPG) against a Atlanta Falcons defense that ranks No. 15 at 20 PPG. The Lions passing attack has averaged 202 yards per game, less than the Falcons give up through the air (242 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Atlanta Falcons feature the league's No. 20-rated road run defense, allowing 125 yards per game. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, ranks No. 18 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Atlanta won its last game, 34-23 over Green Bay on Sunday, behind a 108-yard receiving performance from Julio Jones at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Matthew Stafford threw a pair of TD passes in Detroit's last match, defeating New York 24-10 in Week 2 action on Monday.
- Atlanta is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
- Atlanta is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta's last 11 games
- Atlanta is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
- Detroit is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
- Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Detroit's last 13 games
Next Betting Matchups
Atlanta home to Buffalo, Sunday, October 1
Detroit at Minnesota, Sunday, October 1
