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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
2025 NFL Preseason (08/08/25): Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons, how to watch, key players, and more
Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during the second quarter against the AFC (Image via Getty Images) The 2025 NFL preseason is really starting to pick up, and one of the most thrilling games on the calendar is the Detroit Lions versus the Atlanta Falcons. This matchup is scheduled for Friday, August 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET, and it will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Even though it's only a preseason game, it's important for both teams as they adjust their rosters, try out new strategies, and prepare for the upcoming regular season. How to Watch the Game Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons Whether you're a loyal Detroit Lions supporter or a Atlanta Falcons fan, or just an NFL lover from anywhere, here's how you can get in on the action: Game Time: 7 p.m. ET Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA TV Broadcast: FOX 5 (Atlanta region); check with your local FOX affiliate or the NFL's preseason broadcast schedule for options in different areas Detroit market: Head over to the Detroit Lions' official site or listen to local stations like WJR 760 AM for coverage Atlanta market: Catch 92.9 The Game or swing by the Atlanta Falcons' official website for live commentary Streaming Options: Watch live on NFL+ or fuboTV Key Players to Watch: Detroit Lions Jared Goff: In 2024, Jared Goff really shined, completing 72.4% of his passes for over 4,629 yards and racking up 37 touchdowns. Still, that playoff collapse has fans and analysts watching him closely. He might not see much action in this game, but every play he makes will be under the spotlight. Atlanta's Preseason Opener (And MorganMan's Starter Plea) (DETvATL P1) Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown had an impressive season last year, with 115 receptions totaling 1,263 yards. He's the go-to guy for Jared Goff, and just a few plays could show us how Detroit's passing game is evolving. Aidan Hutchinson: An injury may have cut his 2024 season short, but before that, Hutchinson was a dominant force, some even thought he could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Now that he's back, his pass-rushing talent could pose challenges for Atlanta's second-stringers. Key Players to Watch: Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson: In 2024, Bijan Robinson had 1456 rushing yards each game, and his quickness and awareness really set him apart. He's expected to get some playtime to evaluate the Falcons' run-focused strategy. Tyler Allgeier: Last season, Allgeier contributed with three rushing touchdowns. As Atlanta relies on its ground attack, he's a name worth watching. James Pearce Jr.: According to Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter, this rookie first-round pick is catching attention in camp. His debut could indicate if he's set to strengthen Atlanta's defense. Winning Odds: Detroit Lions favored by 3.5 points despite recent loss The betting lines indicate that the Lions have a slight advantage. They're favored by 3.5 points on the road, with the over/under at 32.5 points, according to DraftKings. This points to a potentially close and low-scoring game. But don't count out the Falcons, the Lions just suffered a 34-7 defeat against the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game, where their offense only put up seven points and committed three turnovers. Atlanta's backups might have the advantage with their fresh legs and the backing of the home crowd. Also Read: 2025 NFL Preseason (08/08/25): Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns, how to watch, key players, and more Teams utilize these games to test their rookies, check on backups, and foster chemistry before the real competition kicks in. The Detroit Lions finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record but fell short in the playoffs against the Washington Commanders. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons react to learning their Madden NFL 26 player ratings
The yearly release of EA Sports' Madden NFL football video game always creates a little drama. The individual ratings tend to evoke a wide range of reactions from the players. The Atlanta Falcons received some good ratings and some questionable ones from Madden NFL 26. Jessie Bates III received the highest rating of any safety in the game, while running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and guard Chris Lindstrom were among the highest-rated players at their respective positions. Not everyone was happy with their rating, though. Watch as the Falcons players react to learning their Madden NFL 26 player ratings below. Some of the highlights included running back Tyler Allgeier looking disgruntled about his low strength rating. Allgeier wanted to see his strength ability rated in the 90s, but it ended up being a flat 80. This doesn't even crack the top 10 running backs and puts Allgeier alongside Isaiah Pacheco and rookie Ashton Jeanty. Quarterback Michael Penix wasn't too shocked about his overall grade but felt his Madden speed rating of 84 did not reflect his actual game speed. Linebacker Kaden Elliss also wasn't too happy with his speed rating. After hoping to get a 91, Eliiss was told he was given an 84. The Falcons will take the field for their first preseason game this Friday evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Detroit Lions come to town after losing their preseason opener to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Players react to Madden NFL 26 ratings
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football Mock Draft, No. 2 Pick: Full list of picks, analysis and key takeaways
Welcome back to my 12-part mock draft series, where I'm drafting from every position — 1 through 12 — in a 12-team Yahoo fantasy football league to uncover optimal strategies and roster constructions at each spot. Using Yahoo Fantasy's Instant Mock Draft tool, I went solo through each draft, making every pick myself to create realistic and informative roster builds. This time, I drew the No. 2 overall pick, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do: lock in a franchise RB and build around the position. It was a shift from my WR-heavy build at 1.01, so I challenged myself to prioritize depth and stability at running back — even if it meant passing on some elite wideouts. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The scoring format is half-PPR, with the following setup: QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, TE, FLEX, K, D/ST and six bench spots. Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Pick No. 2 Full Roster QB: Jordan Love (GB)RB: Bijan Robinson (ATL)RB: Chase Brown (CIN)WR: Malik Nabers (NYG)WR: Zay Flowers (BAL)TE: Dalton Kincaid (BUF)FLEX: Kenneth Walker III (SEA)Kicker: Tyler Bass (BUF)D/ST: Arizona Cardinals (ARI)Bench: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA)Bench: D'Andre Swift (CHI) Bench: Chris Olave (NO) Bench: Stefon Diggs (NE) Bench: Javonte Williams (DAL)Bench: Nick Chubb (HOU) Rounds 1–3: The RB foundation 1.02 – Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)2.11 – Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)3.02 – Chase Brown (RB – CIN) Roster assessment following Round 3 With the 1.02 pick, I took Bijan Robinson, a potential league-winner who offers elite three-down ability and pass-catching versatility in Atlanta's top-10 rushing offense. If this were a real draft, I'd take Chase, but I wanted to lean into an RB-centric strategy and Bijan gave me the ideal anchor. Landing Malik Nabers at 2.11 — was a gift (again). Instead of going back to a WR, I went with Chase Brown as my third-round pick. The Bengals' backfield is weak behind him, and in a high-octane offense like Cincinnati, theres a lot of upside here. By the end of Round 3, I had already secured two starting RBs and a high-ceiling WR1, but passing on WRs in Rounds 2–3 created a must-fill need heading into the next stretch. Rounds 4–6: Rebalancing with WR depth 4.11 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)5.02 – Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)6.11 – Zay Flowers (WR – BAL) Roster assessment after Round 6 I anticipated the WR run coming in Round 3, and I was right — seven went in that round alone. To respond, I opened the fourth by taking Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a polished route runner entering his first year as the WR1 in Seattle. The fifth round gave me a big decision — I passed on TE and QB to scoop Kenneth Walker III, my third RB. Walker is still the top option in Seattle despite the presence of Zach Charbonnet. I rock with this stable of RBs. I guess I'm becoming a Zay Flowers guy because he was there yet again. This time, I selected him a few spots earlier in Round 6, which helped balance out my WR room. Flowers has already proven he can be the WR1 in a Lamar Jackson-led offense. By the end of Round 6, my WR depth was respectable — not elite, but enough — while my RB group was arguably the best in the room. Rounds 7–10: TE Settling and QB Love 7.02 – D'Andre Swift (RB – CHI)8.11 – Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)9.02 – Chris Olave (WR – NO)10.11 – Jordan Love (QB – GB) Roster assessment after Round 10 I continued building my RB arsenal in Round 7 with D'Andre Swift. Now in Chicago, Swift reunites with Ben Johnson, a coach who peppered him with targets out of the backfield from his days in Detroit. Swift was my fifth RB, which is probably OD this early, but he felt like the best available option in that spot. In hindsight, I should've gone TE because the position dried up fast. By Round 8, I got stuck with Dalton Kincaid, a backend TE1 option. I don't love it. I didn't plan to draft Chris Olave in Round 9 — but when someone like him falls to 9.02, you pounce. Even in a shaky Saints offense, Olave is a route-running savant with a WR1 target share — at cost, I think he's worth the injury risk. Finally, I grabbed Jordan Love in Round 10. While I waited on QB longer than I'd like, I'm okay rocking with Love as my QB1. Rounds 11–15: Veteran Mistakes or Tactical Gambles 11.02 – Stefon Diggs (WR – NE)12.11 – Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)13.02 – Nick Chubb (RB – HOU)14.11 – Tyler Bass (K – BUF)15.02 – Arizona Cardinals D/ST Roster assessment after Round 15 In Round 11, I took a shot on Stefon Diggs — yes, he's in New England and yes, the upside is questionable, but his ADP has dropped so far that he's worth a WR5 dart throw. Round 12 brought me Javonte Williams, another middling running back fighting for touches in Dallas. Nick Chubb in Round 13 might be the most polarizing pick of this round, with Joe Mixon dealing with a foot injury that put him on the non-football injury list. With my last two picks, I rounded out the roster with Tyler Bass, a proven kicker in a top-five offense, and the Arizona Cardinals defense. Arizona is far from elite, but they open the season with a soft schedule against the Saints and Panthers — both strong streaming spots. Key takeaways RB runs continue to come early By the end of Round 4, 16 RBs were off the board. If you're not proactive in the position early, you'll be forced to reach or get boxed out downstream. RB depth was a massive priority for many drafters, as evidenced by seven RBs in Round 1, four more in Round 3 and a whopping five in Round 4. Beyond that, I found it interesting that Rounds 7 and 12 saw eight RBs drafted late. Waiting on QB benefits team building There were only three rounds where at least three QBs were selected: Rounds 2, 5 and 9. The ninth round was the most significant, with six QBs getting drafted (Prescott, Maye, Lawrence, Herbert, Williams and Stroud). I'm not saying the draft will always unfold this way, but it's essential to understand how league managers are moving. The QB run is inevitable for anyone filling out their roster with positional depth, so don't get caught slippin'. Middle TE Tier disappears quickly There were 14 TEs drafted between Rounds 7 and 10, making it the crucial TE decision point. Kincaid was the last of the "maybe" starters. If you wait past Round 8, you're playing roulette.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons Recap: Injury updates, roster moves, camp highlights
The Atlanta Falcons completed their fifth training camp practice on Thursday afternoon and are just one week away from playing their first preseason game against the Detroit Lions. The Falcons can get a good look at the Lions tonight when Detroit takes on the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to open the 2025 NFL preseason. Atlanta announced a roster transaction prior to Thursday's practice, plus head coach Raheem Morris gave an update on rookie Jalon Walker's injury. We examine that and more in today's Falcons recap. Roster News: Falcons sign safety, cut WR The Falcons kicked off the day by signing former UFL safety Henry Black and releasing wide receiver Makai Polk. The move comes one day after the team worked out former Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead. Raheem Morris said he felt the team needed more safety depth, and Black can provide that going forward. Injury updates on Jalon Walker, Xavier Watts Morris gave an update on Jalon Walker, who has missed the last two days of practice. Walker is dealing with a minor hamstring injury, and while he sat out of team drills on Thursday, the rookie took part in individual drills (see below). Third-round pick Xavier Wattts missed Thursday's practice, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi, but there was indication as to why. Madden 26 ratings: Rookies, WRs, RBs revealed More Madden NFL 26 ratings were revealed on Thursday, including Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (92 overall), wide receiver Drake London (91 overall), and the team's entire rookie draft class. Jalon Walker is the game's sixth-highest-rated rookie. Check out the ratings for Atlanta's five-player draft class below: LB Jalon Walker: 79 EDGE James Pearce: 75 S Xavier Watts: 70 DB Billy Bowman: 70 OL Jack Nelson: 63 Highlights: Penix, Floyd, Walker Falcons OC named future head coach candidate In a new feature from Pro Football Sports Network, Jacob Infante named Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson a future head coach candidate. If you're a good play-caller in the NFL, it generally doesn't take long to get a head coaching gig. Despite the team's quarterback controversy last season, Robinson did a stellar job in Year 1: Robinson, 38, comes from the highly regarded Sean McVay tree, having been the Rams' passing game coordinator in 2022 and 2023 before his promotion in Atlanta. He has a big opportunity to become a strong head coaching candidate if the Falcons' passing game performs well with Michael Penix Jr. now under center. -- Jacob Infante, PFSN This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Injury news, practice updates, camp highlights
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saquon Barkley calls Bijan Robinson 'the next great one' in NFL Top 100 clip
After a promising rookie season, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson took things to another level in 2025. The former top-10 pick finished his sophomore campaign ranked third in the NFL with 1,456 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Robinson's big year helped him land a spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 countdown. The Falcons running back was ranked as the 62nd-best player in the league, drawing praise from his peers, including 2024 rushing leader Saquon Barkley. "Bijan's definitely the next great one," said Barkley. "Him and [Jahmyr] Gibbs. But there's nobody who's able to cut like Bijan in the NFL. There's not. You can argue with your mom about that to be honest. And, you know, trust me, I love myself and I think I have great cuts. His vision, his agility, and he can catch the ball too." WATCH: Bijan Robinson makes NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 The Falcons held their first training camp practice on Thursday, giving fans their first glimpse of the 2025 roster. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and tight end Kyle Pitts were the stars of Day 1. The team has Friday off but will return to the practice field on Saturday. Read our news roundup from Day 1 of camp and check out photos from the team's first practice below. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Saquon Barkley praises Bijan Robinson in NFL Top 100
