On September 24, 2023, the Detroit Lions roared back to life at Ford Field, taking down the Atlanta Falcons in a commanding 20–6 victory that showed off Detroit’s growing bite.
The Lions’ defense was ferocious, smothering Atlanta’s young quarterback Desmond Ridder—sacking him seven times and holding star rookie Bijan Robinson to just 33 rushing yards. Rookie edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was unstoppable, recording two sacks and a forced fumble, setting the tone for Detroit’s domination.
On offense, Jared Goff played the role of steady captain, throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown, while rookie tight end Sam LaPorta stole the show with a 45-yard touchdown catch, the first of his career. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also flashed his speed, rushing for 80 yards in an expanded role.
When the clock struck zero, the crowd thundered—the Lions were 2–1, bouncing back from a tough loss with grit, power, and plenty of swagger. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement that these Lions were done being anyone’s prey.