The Falcons’ 35-14 demolition of the Packers did more than pad a box score - it naturally put Detroit’s Week 13 trip to Atlanta under the microscope. On the surface, the result makes the matchup look a lot more dangerous for the Lions than it might have a few weeks ago.
But the Packers and Lions are not the same team, and that matters here. Detroit brings a different offensive line, a different defensive front, and a quarterback in Jared Goff who has handled pressure better than Jordan Love has this season.
Per Sumer Sports, Love is 25th in EPA/play when not under pressure and 23rd when he is. That kind of performance under duress is a big reason Atlanta was able to make Green Bay look so ordinary.
That’s why the answer to the big question is still pretty straightforward: the Lions shouldn’t be worried, so long as they show up prepared and with a better plan than the Packers brought.
One place Detroit should have an edge is on the ground, where Jahmyr Gibbs looks like the most obvious difference-maker in the game. Atlanta completely shut down Green Bay’s backfield, holding MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Love to 17 rushing yards combined. That’s a stunning number, but it doesn’t automatically carry over to Detroit, especially if the Lions have a healthy Cade Mays available.
Gibbs also has some history against this defense. In his lone meeting with Atlanta in 2024, he ran for 80 yards, and he should have plenty of motivation heading into this one against Robinson.
If there’s a place where Atlanta can really make Detroit sweat, it’s on the outside. Drake London was a wrecking ball in the first start of Michael Penix Jr.’s career, piling up 194 receiving yards on nine catches and averaging 21.6 yards per reception. The message there is simple: if Atlanta gets competent quarterback play, London can turn into a major problem fast.
Detroit hasn’t done much to fix its secondary beyond Kelvin Sheppard telling reporters they need to be better. That might not be enough against London. The Lions did survive one shootout against a talented receiver in Chris Olave, and that may be their best blueprint again if this turns into a track meet.
In Other News...
Aaron Glenn's Return Just Made This Lions Test Even Tougher
The Week 3 matchup at Ford Field already had enough going for it, with the Jets coming to town to test a Lions team that expects to be pushed on both sides of the ball. But the return of Aaron Glenn adds another layer to it. Glenn spent 2021 through 2024 as Detroits defensive coordinator, and now he comes back as Jets head coach with a familiar defensive identity and plenty of history alongside Dan Campbell.
Campbell and Glenn built a close working relationship in Detroit, so this one has more than just the usual regular-season edge. Campbell called it a competitive game and pointed to the challenge New York brings on defense and offense, which is exactly why this feels like more than a reunion. For the Lions, it is a chance to measure themselves against a coach they know well and a unit shaped by the same hard-nosed standards that helped define them not long ago. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Jets Problem They May Not Be Built For
Dan Campbells latest injury update offered a little more clarity for the Lions up front, where Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller are expected to be available while Ben Bartch is likely to sit out. For a team that has tried to keep its offensive line as steady as any part of the roster, any shuffle there matters, especially with an upcoming matchup that figures to test how well Detroit can keep its protection and run game intact.
Campbell also pointed to the defensive side, where the Lions have leaned more on zone coverage while dealing with multiple unavailable safeties. Christian Izien has been getting more work in practice, and Campbell suggested other players may have to help absorb the load, which leaves Detroit trying to piece together enough back-end stability at a moment when that part of the defense is already stretched thin. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Tease A Fan Favorite Look For Jets Matchup
A familiar combination might be back in play when the Lions line up against the Jets, with Detroit teasing its blue home jerseys paired with silver pants for the upcoming matchup. It is the kind of look that has become a fan favorite in recent seasons, and one that the Lions have only brought out a couple of times since last year, including Week 11 and on Thanksgiving against Green Bay.
There is some extra intrigue around the game because Jets coach Aaron Glenn was the first coaching hire made by Dan Campbell in Detroit, a move that tied the two coaches together well before Sundays meeting. Glenn has spoken about appreciating the chance Campbell gave him and about their early discussions on changing the teams culture, so the uniform tease adds a little more buzz to a reunion that already carries some history. [Read more 🡒]