DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons are desperately hoping to have sufficient success this season to finish lengthy playoff droughts.
Detroit hasn’t performed past the common season since 2016 and Atlanta’s final postseason look was in 2017, rating among the many longest streaks behind the New York Jets’ 12-year run of futility.
The Lions (1-1) and Falcons (2-0) will meet Sunday at Ford Discipline in a doubtlessly pivotal sport.
Whereas it could appear approach too early to peek forward on the playoffs two video games right into a 17-game season, historical past suggests how groups fare early can point out their probabilities of making it to the NFL’s event.
Every of the six groups that began 2-0 final season made the playoffs and 64% have since 1990. Eight of the 14 groups within the 2022 NFL playoffs misplaced at the very least one in all their first two video games and 42% of 1-1 groups during the last 23 years have earned a spot within the postseason.
Three-fourths of the groups that begin 3-0 have superior to the playoffs since they have been expanded to 12 groups in 1990, whereas simply 25% of groups that have been 1-2 rallied for a spot within the postseason.
“Our group’s mindset is that each sport is a must-win sport, particularly after final yr after we began so gradual,” Lions middle Frank Ragnow mentioned.
FAIR TO COMPARE
The Falcons caught some grief for deciding on a working again with the No. 8 selection within the NFL draft, however these critics have been quieted by Bijan Robinson’s begin.
The previous Texas star has turn into solely the second rookie in franchise historical past, becoming a member of William Andrews in 1979, to achieve 200 yards from scrimmage in his first two video games.
Lining up everywhere in the subject, Robinson has averaged 6.2 yards per carry and has 10 receptions for 75 yards and a landing.
“They’ve achieved an ideal job, utilizing him along with his ability set,” Detroit working again Jahmyr Gibbs mentioned. “He can do just about every thing. Together with his measurement being 220 (kilos), and to maneuver like that’s particular.”
The Lions might have drafted Robinson with their No. 6 choose general, however traded down six slots and chosen Gibbs out of Alabama.
Detroit has eased Gibbs into his first two video games, giving him 14 carries for 59 yards and 9 receptions for 57 yards. Beginning working again David Montgomery has a thigh bruise, giving Gibbs an opportunity to indicate what he can do.
“You’re all the time going to be excited if you get to play some extra and contact the ball extra,” Gibbs mentioned. “I’ll be fairly amped up.”
CLOSING TIME
The Falcons outscored Carolina and Inexperienced Bay 27-0 within the fourth quarter, holding these opponents to a mixed 55 yards whereas they accomplished simply 5 of 20 passes.
“It simply speaks to the conditioning and the way in which our guys need to function, and the way in which we need to end video games,” Atlanta coach Arthur Smith mentioned.
HUMBLE PIE
The Lions ratcheted up unusually excessive expectations with a season-opening win at Kansas Metropolis and with Ford Discipline as loud because it has ever been for a sport, they misplaced to Seattle in extra time.
“It positively humbles you,” offensive sort out Penei Sewell mentioned. “I hope the fellows are available in with the identical mindset of what we have been a yr in the past. It’s completely different now. There’s too many individuals driving the wave. There was too many individuals speaking.”
REMEMBER ME?
Jeff Okudah could also be making his Falcons debut towards the group that drafted and traded him. Okudah didn’t play in Atlanta’s first two video games resulting from a foot harm, however was a full participant in observe Wednesday.
Detroit drafted the previous Ohio State star No. 3 general in 2020 and he didn’t pan out. Accidents restricted him to a complete of 10 video games over his first two seasons and he had one interception in 15 begins final season, resulting in the Lions dealing him for a fifth-round choose.
“Jeff’s in a great place,” Smith mentioned.
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AP Sports activities Author Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed.
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