A comprehensive viewing guide to Lions at Falcons: Who and what to watch
After a dreadful start to the preseason slate, getting run over by the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame game last week, the Detroit Lions will seek to show more cohesion and better execution against the Falcons in Atlanta this Friday.
You’ll be able to watch the game locally on FOX 2, with Detroit Tigers play-by-play voice Jason Benetti on the call. He’ll be joined in the booth by former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang.
Here’s a position-by-position guide of players to watch in the contest.
Quarterback
Few factors contributed more to the Hall of Fame hammering than turnovers. That started with the Lions coughing up the opening kickoff. Quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker then supplemented the struggles with three interceptions in the 34-7 loss.
Only one of the three picks was egregious, Allen’s first, which the Chargers returned inside Detroit’s 10-yard line. With his other, the defender knocked the receiver off the route with late contact that could have and probably should have drawn a flag. Meanwhile, Hooker’s interception was in the hands of its intended target before the defender yanked it away.
Outside the giveaways, Allen more efficiently ran the offense. Of course, he started the contest, working with players higher up the depth chart and in more neutral situations. Hooker, meanwhile, couldn’t find a rhythm with the backups’ backups in the second half, while trying to navigate a three-score deficit.
The two will flip roles in Atlanta, with Hooker drawing the start. It will offer last year’s backup a better opportunity to show the clear growth he’s demonstrated on the practice field through training camp, from improved processing to his sharper accuracy.
That said, if Hooker sputters and Allen thrives, the competition to serve as Detroit’s QB2 will heat up heading into next week’s joint practices with the Dolphins.
Running back
Last week’s first half was the Craig Reynolds Show. Detroit’s top backup behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery racked up 48 yards from scrimmage with 10 carries and a reception on 23 snaps.
He doesn’t have a lot to prove for the role he’s going to fill. Still, it might be more of the same against the Falcons. The preferred alternative would be a longer look at second-year back Sione Vaki. However, his stop-start offseason appears to be temporarily paused once again. After getting a bunch of work during a physical, padded practice on Tuesday, he was absent on Wednesday, putting his status for Friday’s game in question. Even though he could use the reps, the Lions won’t compromise his long-term health for the sake of a few developmental snaps that can be made up next week against the Dolphins.