Evan Silva’s Matchups: Falcons at Lions

Atlanta @ Detroit

Team Totals: Lions 25, Falcons 22

At 46.5 points, I took the over on this game’s total, which pits against each other two of the NFL’s most efficient offenses inside Ford Field’s dome. … Although the Falcons only beat the Packers by one last week, Atlanta nearly doubled Green Bay in total yards (446 to 224) and now faces a Lions defense sans EDGE James Houston (fractured ankle), SS Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (pec, I.R.), and CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring). … Desmond Ridder should’ve been picked off three times in last week’s win, while HC Arthur Smith’s offense continued to run through RBs Bijan Robinson (23 touches) and Tyler Allgeier (16). Ridder is a poor fantasy bet even in two-QB leagues with Taylor Heinicke soon breathing down his neck. … The Lions have defended the run well to date but faced shaky running teams Kansas City and Seattle in Weeks 1-2. Robinson remains a top-five RB1 play. Allgeier is fully flex playable after banking touch counts of 18 and 16 in Atlanta’s initial two games. … I’m becoming convinced that Smith simply doesn’t believe in Kyle Pitts, as if Pitts is a finesse tight end who doesn’t fit Atlanta’s smash-mouth mentality. Last week, Pitts was out-targeted by Jonnu Smith six to five. … Over his last 17 games, Drake London’s stat line is 65/773/4 (11.9 YPR). In such a run-dominant offense, London is just a WR3/flex.

David Montgomery’s multi-week thigh injury positions No. 12 overall pick Jahmyr Gibbs to take over as Detroit’s feature back for the foreseeable future. The Lions’ running back alternatives are fifth-year UDFA Craig Reynolds and former Jet Zonovan Knight, signed off Detroit’s practice squad on Tuesday. Reynolds is worth adding in deeper season-long leagues, but Gibbs now offers eruption potential on expanded usage.