Detroit Lions 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Away: Atlanta Falcons

If you’ve not yet noticed, Matt Patricia’s schedule is loaded with other coaches on the same hot seat (or teams who have responded with new hires), which means games against rosters that are lacking in key places. The Falcons are certainly one of them.

A road trip to Atlanta certainly isn’t a gimme for Patricia (in fact, it’s likely Falcons head coach Dan Quinn licking his chops), but the Lions should hold their heads up if they can walk away from the draft with another stout pass rusher and secondary help. The Falcons have fooled themselves by thinking Todd Gurley is anything close to what he used to be, and they swapped out Austin Hooper and a second round pick for Hayden Hurst. In short, the Falcons wings have been clipped a bit offensively.

It should also be noted that this is the Desmond Trufant revenge game, if such a thing will ever exist. Never mind, that sounds silly.