Quarterback Jared Goff circled a 10-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard D’Andre Swift touchdown. Goff was 3-for-4 for 47 yards on the drive, with his only shortcoming being a drop. It was a very effective night for him.
Swift ran four times for 20 yards on the drive. The Lions covered a total of 32 yards in possession as the offensive line did a great job of moving people and making holes.
However, the first team’s defense was not off to a good start.
Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Falcons’ run game exploited Detroit’s edges a few times and covered 82 yards in 12 plays at nine minutes and 27 seconds off the clock. Atlanta ran for 61 yards on the drive, with Mariota accounting for 23, including a 6-yard touchdown to end the drive.
Most of the first-team on either side of the ball played a series.
Detroit Lions observations: Starting OL as good as advertised, running QBs may be an issue
The Falcons will see the debut of their free agent takeover quarterback Marcus Mariota as well as third-round rookie Desmond Ridder. Both are expected to debut tonight.
While many Falcons will make their team debuts tonight, there are some new players who will have to wait at least a week before seeing the field.
The team announced just before kickoff that wide receiver Brian Edwards, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson, rookie linebacker Troy Anderson, veteran linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, and defensive backs Jaylin Hawkins and Isaiah Oliver would miss Friday night’s game.
The Lions won the kickoff and elected to receive. When Jared Goff beat Brock Wright to T.J. Hawkenson – For an 18-yard lead in the second game of the game. Jamal Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s first down pickup moved Detroit into field goal position.
Then a fine floater for St. Brown propelled the Lions to the 9-yard line, and D’Andre Swift reversed course on this impressive run and punched first and on target. 7-0 Leo. Overall, the Lions covered 79 yards in just five minutes.
His decision would have been much easier if Matt Patricia were still in charge.
“I wouldn’t have come back,” Walker explained. “Just to be honest, I don’t hold back.”
Playing for the Lions’ coaching staff, which includes several former NFL players, has proved to many of the roster members that the team now cares about the views and opinions of those taking the field.
“Of course I had more teams, I had more money (proposed), but at the end of the day, I know the situation may not be the best for me,” Walker told reporters at training camp. “It was my best position with anything I was dealing with.”
CB Jeff Okudah: Jackson was an interesting addition to the Lions less than two weeks ago. The former Charger has been productive when he has had a chance in his career, and has done well in his short time at Detroit’s camp.
With D’Andre Swift and Jamal Williams sure to do the best light work against the Falcons, Craig Reynolds, Jackson, Godwin Igwebuic and Jermer Jefferson jointly line up for the majority of backfield touches for the Lions on Friday night. Taking a long look at Jackson could also be a priority, as Reynolds has a strong hold on the roster spot and Igwebuike and Jefferson are battling for a spot.
Jackson has a good chance of sticking to the 53-man roster, and his opportunity to shine is in the preseason opener. He would be a reason to watch the second half of a Presidents game after the more notable name was off the field.
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