The Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions are heading to London in Week 8, and many expect the Lions to be the ones returning home with a victory.
NFL picks and predictions, Lions vs. Falcons 2014: Experts rolling with Detroit in London
Detroit and Atlanta head across the pond with vastly different positions in the standings.
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The Lions have thrived under first-year head coach Jim Caldwell. After years of underachieving with Jim Schwartz at the helm, the Lions are 5-2 and tied atop the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers. On the other end of the spectrum are the Falcons, sitting at 2-5 and in third place of the substandard NFC South.
This is technically a home game for the Falcons, although the contest is being played at Wembley Stadium in London. Atlanta is trying to snap a four-game losing streak, riding the arm of Matt Ryan. Ryan has thrown for 2,078 yards this season but only one touchdown in each of his last three games. Detroit also relies on the passing attack, ranking 31st in the run game. Matthew Stafford has enjoyed a new weapon in Golden Tate, who leads the team with 649 receiving yards.
Experts are picking the Lions to come back with a victory.
Over at USA Today, it was a clean sweep of the seven analysts. Of the eight men of CBS Sports, Will Brinson and Josh Katzowitz believe the Falcons will cover the 3.5-point spread, and Brinson is picking Atlanta to win outright. Chris Mortensen is the only ESPN expert who believes the Falcons will improve to 3-5 against a tough defense.
Here at SB Nation, both David Fucillo and PFT Commenter believe the Falcons will pull out the victory, with the five remaining analysts choosing Detroit.
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