Atlanta Falcons: 3 players that must play big to beat the Lions

The Atlanta Falcons are looking to win two in a row since December of last year.

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off by far their best performance on the season, a win against the Vikings. Games like those are often catalysts for winning streaks and if there’s a team that needs one, it’s the Falcons.

The Falcons looked like a completely different team against the Vikings. Their nest game is another winnable one against the Lions. With these next few games being the easiest part of their schedule, it is imperative that the Falcons rack up as many wins as possible.

The team needs to play well again but there are three players who need to continue their impressive play to increase the Atlanta Falcons chances at winning. There’s no need to name the usual suspects like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Grady Jarrett as they have impacts that are rarely seen on a stat sheet.

Todd Gurley

Coming into the game against the Lions, Todd Gurley is averaging 4.3 yards a carry and averaging 70.3 yards a game. While those numbers don’t pop out at you, if Gurley continues this pace, he will end the season with 1,125 yards giving the Falcons their first 1,000-yard rusher since 2016.

If the Falcons want to come out with a win on Sunday, they must establish Gurley on the ground early and often. Anyone who watches football knows that a good rushing attack can open the flood gates for the passing game.

The Falcons must remember that Gurley can also be used in the passing game as well.

A.J. Terrell

The Falcons first-round pick is coming off his best game in his relatively short career. Last week against the Vikings, AJ Terrell grabbed his first career interception, and it was an impressive one. Terrell also added six tackles.

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He will need to do the same going up against the Lions.

Terrell will more than likely bet matched up against Kenny Golladay, an excellent possession receiver that many people don’t talk about. Golladay is by far the best receiver on the Lions and will be the main target for Matt Stafford.

Terrell has gotten better each and every week he has played and we expect that trend to continue.

Foye Oluokun

Foye Oluokun is slowly emerging as a playmaker on this Falcons defense. He will need to continue to bring that same energy against the Lions. Against the Vikings, Oluokun record six tackles and an interception.

He isn’t far removed from one of the best defensive performances you’ll see against the Cowboys in which he forced three fumbles in the first quarter.

There will be times in which Oluokun will be matched up against Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is an up and coming player in his own right. If Oluokun is able to keep Hockenson at bay, that will play a big factor in a win for the Falcons.