DETROIT – Matthew Stafford's pass to Golden Tate was ruled to be just short of the goal line in the final seconds, overturning the call on the field and allowing the Atlanta Falcons to hold on for a 30-26 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Stafford threw a slant to Tate and a video review determined he was down just inside the 1 with 8 seconds left. By rule, 10 seconds had to run off the clock, and that ended the game because the Lions didn't have any timeouts.
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The defending NFC champion Falcons (3-0) overcame Matt Ryan's three interceptions and many other mistakes, including on Detroit's last drive.
Here are four things we learned about the Lions:
The Lions are a legit playoff contender
Detroit was able to hang with the defending NFC champs, and arguably best offense in the league on Sunday, and it was no fluke. Their defense made several big plays, keeping them in the game just long enough to win. Although they didn't, the team has clearly proven, after wins against Arizona, New York and almost Atlanta - they are legit.
Running game is work in progress
There have been brief signs of a functional rushing attack in the first three games, but it hasn't fully come together just yet. Despite the lack of success, the Lions have stuck with the rushing game, for now, but will need the offensive line to improve. The Lions are No. 17 in the league, as it stands, in rushing yards per game. They were No. 30 in 2016.
Stafford's touch pass is a new weapon
We hadn't seen much of it in the first two weeks, but Stafford's new touch pass, which we've been hearing about all off season, came out Sunday at Ford Field. In at least a few nice completions, Stafford floated some beautiful passes right over Atlanta defenders, specfically to Ameer Abdullah and another to T.J. Jones. Stafford, known for being a bullet speed passer, has a new weapon in his arsenal, and that's only good news for the Lions.Â
Lions secondary can ball hawk, defend
Through three games, the Lions have seven interceptions, second most in the NFL. Three of those game Sunday against Matt Ryan, who hadn't thrown a pick in nine weeks prior to the game against Detroit. The Lions also accumulated multiple interceptions against Carson Palmer in Week 1. The Lions are also keeping opposing quarterbacks at bay, with a 70.2 passer rating, fifth best in the league. In 2016, the Lions were dead last in the league, with opposing quarterbacks averaging a 106.5 passer rating.