The Atlanta Falcons face their biggest test of the season on Sunday as they head into Detroit to take on the upstart Lions. The 1-1 Lions were regarded as a dark horse candidate to make a deep playoff run before the season began. The Falcons, however, were regarded as a team expected to finish near the bottom of the standings again. Atlanta’s 2-0 start has silenced a lot of doubters, but winning this game in Detroit will go a long way.
The biggest step the Falcons will take rests on the shoulders of Desmond Ridder. The young signal caller is looking for his first NFL road victory this weekend. Ridder’s growth as a QB will be scrutinized weekly with a cast of talented players on both sides of the ball around him. The team’s decision to ride with Ridder and not bring in a veteran or draft a projected franchise QB will be as well.
Dukes & Bell welcomed in Super Bowl Champion & current CBS NFL Analyst Bryant McFadden to the show Friday. He discussed what he’s seen from the team so far.
“I was extremely high on Arthur Smith and his staff before Week One. I really like his coaching methods on both sides of the ball and they did more with less last year. This year is a more talented team and you still have some concerns and questions, but you’ve added some significant players.
This is clearly a team that can win the NFC South,” McFadden explained.
Should the Falcons go 3-0, it will be a representation of two-plus years of hard work for Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot. A hot start has eluded the Falcons since their last playoff season in 2017, but now this team has the chance to make up for lost time and beyond.