Lions Hope to Take Preseason Form to Atlanta

While the Detroit Lions (7-9 SU, 6-9-1 ATS, 11-5 O/U) recorded a perfect 4-0 record during the preseason, the team should be well aware of the fact that a spotless preseason record means absolutely nothing once the ‘real’ games start.

While the Lions only managed to go 7-9 in 2007, Detroit was 6-5 after 11 games but collapsed down the stretch, winning just once in their final four games.

Not only did the Lions fail to record a winning record, but they were thoroughly beaten in each of their final four regular season losses.

Still, the team enters the 2008-09 NFL regular season with hope.

Detroit beat the Buffalo Bills 14-6 in their final preseason contest on Thursday after beating the Cleveland Browns 26-6 five days earlier. The Lions also allowed just ten points in each of their first two preseason contests, beating the Giants 13-10 in Week One and the Bengals 27-10 in week two.

The Lions failed to come through for NFL bettors who wagered on them last season, recording just six ATS wins. Detroit’s poor defense caused the team to be a near, ‘lock’ to go Over the spread as they went 5-3 O/U at home and 6-2 O/U on the road.

The Atlanta Falcons (4-12 SU, 8-8 ATS, 9-7 O/U) were a mess last season following the arrest of longtime starting quarterback Michael Vick. The Falcons went just 4-12 and saw their ‘coach of the future,’ Bobby Petrino, bolt back to the comforts of the college game before he even completed his first season in the pros.

This year, the Falcons will undoubtedly be headed in the right direction after the really smart hiring of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the team’s new head coach and drafting of NFL-ready quarterback Matt Ryan with the No.3 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.

After watching veterans signal callers, Joey Harrington and Chris Redman flounder all season long with their well-documented histories of mediocrity, the Falcons have cut Harrington, demoted Redman and named Ryan the starter despite his lack of NFL experience.

Ryan has orchestrated consecutive wins for the Falcons in their final two preseason games, a 10-9 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday and a 17-3 spanking of the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 22.

Atlanta managed to break even for BetUS online NFL wagering enthusiasts, going 3-5 ATS at home and a polar opposite, 5-3 ATS on the road.

Here is a look at some of the key trends for tonight’s matchup, followed by my analysis and NFL Free Picks:

The Lions are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 1.

The Lions are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.

The Lions are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

The Falcons are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 1.

The Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

The Falcons are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games.

The Over is 6-0 in Lions last 6 games overall.

The Over is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 games on field turf.

The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

NFL Odds