Falcons Hold On To Beat Lions 30-26 Thanks To NFL Rule
DETROIT (AP) - 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.
Falcons cornerback Marcus Trufant was called for pass interference in the end zone on a third-and-10 from the Atlanta 19, giving the Lions a first down at the 1 with 19 seconds left. Trufant was flagged for holding on a second-and-30 from the Falcons 38 earlier in the drive, allowing Detroit to extend the drive.
Detroit (2-1) never led in the game, but failed to pull off another comeback in the fourth quarter.
INJURIES
Falcons: Atlanta was without three starters: defensive end Vic Beasley (hamstring), defensive end Courtney Upshaw (knee/ankle) and Ryan Schraeder (concussion). The Falcons appeared to miss Schraeder in particular because his replacement, Ty Sambrailo, gave up two sacks in the first half.
Lions: Detroit was also missing a trio of first-string players: linebacker Jarrad Davis (concussion), safety Tavon Wilson (shoulder) and center Travis Swanson (ankle). Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel left the game with an injured right knee, but was able to return.
UP NEXT
Falcons: Host Buffalo next Sunday.
Lions: Play at Minnesota next Sunday.
Several Detroit Lions players knelled during the national anthem and linked arms with standing players, the coach and team owner - part of a unified protest against comments made by President Donald Trump.
The team's actions came Sunday before the game against the Atlanta Falcons, which also had some players kneeling and team members locking arms.
Many teams reacted similarly to Trump, who criticized players protesting during the anthem. He suggested that Friday NFL owners should fire players who kneel.
Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford was among numerous owners to issue statements supporting the players' right to protest.
Eight Lions and two Falcons also took a knee on the sideline as owners for both teams locked arms with players and coaches.
After belting out "brave," Lions' anthem singer Rico Lavelle bent to his knee, bowed his head and raised a fist.
Some fans booed at Ford Field during the actions.
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