Why the Atlanta Falcons should face Detroit in London? Revenge
By Ross Terrell
The Atlanta Falcons will play one of their home games in London next season. And considering their so-so home performances in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
While the Atlanta Falcons opponents are set for home and away games, the dates and times, and the London game have yet to be announced. So let’s throw the opponents in our prediction machine and guess which one the Falcons should get and when.
When?
Last season, teams didn’t play in London until Week 5. And the games ran through the first week of November. It’s fair to say that pattern will hold this season too. And teams are guaranteed a bye-week after playing in London.
That’s one thing the NFL has gotten right on player safety. And with that, it’d be best if the Falcons got their London matchup in week six, with the middle of the season bye in Week 7.
No team likes the early season bye week. And the later the Falcons can get there’s, without having to sacrifice playing in Atlanta when playoff positioning matters, the better.
Well, the last time the Falcons played in London, they lost in the most Atlanta way possible. Up two versus the Detroit Lions, the Falcons had to count on their defense to stop the Lions from getting in field goal range.
Detroit got the ball inside their own 10, no timeouts and guess what, they got into field goal range. They missed a 43-yard field goal, Falcons win.
Not. So. Fast.
A delay of game penalty against the Lions backed them up five yards, the Lions re-kicked, made it and won the game. The Falcons fell to 2-6 in what would be Mike Smith’s swan song season.
And guess who one of the opponents the Atlanta Falcons are set to play at home this year is. The Detroit Lions. It’s not the sexiest matchup as a game versus the Seahawks or Saints would be much more exciting.
But the London people shouldn’t get either of those over Atlanta fans. Instead, give the Falcons a rematch against the Lions. A Matt Ryan versus Matthew Stafford game. And let the Falcons avenge their last loss.
Who would you like to see them play?