Weird start to this one, Falcons fans. The Falcons came into this game with both Julio Jones and Sam Baker listed as inactive. Thus in a game that should be dominated by defense, the offense needs to take advantage of every opportunity possible.
But in a theme consistent with several other games this year, the offense let the defense down after a promising start. Detroit began the game with the ball, but some great pressure on third and five would force an incompletion and a three-and-out. Playing on the road against a tough team like the Lions, that's exactly how you want to start.
On offense though, it was the same old story: penalties and miscues. A false start on Garrett Reynolds put the Falcons in second and long, and a Michael Turner dropped pass (shocker) led to third-and-long. Matt Ryan's throw intended for Roddy White didn't have enough pepper on it, and was snatched away by Lions cornerback Eric Wright for the interception.
Following that pick, the Lions would start on the Atlanta 15 but two consecutive sacks (one by John Abraham, one by Sean Weatherspoon on a blitz) would eliminate any threat of a touchdown. Jason Hanson's 41-yard field goal attempt was good, and Detroit would take an early 3-0 lead in this one.
Perhaps even more frustrating was that, like so many other times, a penalty would eliminate a big play. Eric Weems returned a kickoff 104 yards all the way to the house, but a block-in-the-back penalty would call it back to the 20-yard line. So. Agonizing. To. Watch. Stay tuned.
For more on this game visit Falcons blog The Falcoholic and Lions blog Pride Of Detroit, plus SB Nation Detroit.