Falcons rout Lions 34-7 on Aug. 7, 2025; Detroit rested Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Reynolds scored, K. Allen threw 2 INTs—depth ruled the night.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Yes, the scoreboard read 34-7 in favor of the Atlanta Falcons, and yes, it was a tough watch. But before anyone in Detroit starts sounding the alarm, let's take a deep breath. The Lions' preseason opener was never about winning; it was about evaluation. With nearly every key starter watching from the sidelines, Friday night was a high-stakes audition for the players battling for a spot on this team, giving fans and coaches a first look at the depth that will define the 2025 season.
We want to see these young guys compete. It's about evaluating depth and making sure we're ready for the regular season.
The box score tells a grim tale. Backup quarterback K. Allen struggled under pressure, finishing 9-for-14 for 91 yards and two costly interceptions. The offense couldn't find a rhythm, with the lone bright spot being a determined touchdown run by Craig Reynolds, who led the team with 38 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, the Lions' second and third units couldn't contain the Falcons' attack. It was a classic preseason performance: sloppy, filled with penalties, and ultimately, a loss that places them at the bottom of the early NFC North standings.
Head Coach Dan Campbell made his intentions clear before the game even started, resting stars like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Penei Sewell. The goal was to protect the starters and put the roster bubble players under the microscope. The coaching staff was laser-focused on key position battles, particularly the interior offensive line, the defensive line's ability to generate pressure without the starters, and the depth in the secondary. This game was a litmus test for the guys on the fringe.
Amidst the struggles, a few players made a strong case for themselves. Undrafted rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa was a notable standout, hauling in 2 catches for a team-high 46 yards. His performance was a glimpse of the potential that has had coaches buzzing throughout training camp. Players like TeSlaa are exactly who these games are for, and he seized his opportunity to shine on a night where offensive highlights were few and far between.
While a 34-7 loss is never fun to watch, Friday's game was a necessary evil. The coaching staff now has a wealth of game tape to evaluate the players fighting for the final 53-man roster spots. The focus wasn't on the scoreboard, but on finding the diamonds in the rough who can contribute when the games actually count. As the team prepares for its next preseason matchup, the real work of trimming the roster begins. The journey to a championship season is a marathon, not a sprint, and this was just the first, bumpy step.
