Video recap: Rookies impress as defense dominates in win for Detroit Lions
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The Lions take the field for the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Fans in the stand take a picture with Lions mascot during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions mascot runs onto the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs with the ball as Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) tries to tackle him at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) at the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions tackle Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions take down Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions cheer after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions take down Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt (85) jumps over Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) during game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) runs with the ball with Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) behind him at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
A dog meets the Lions mascot during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs with the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) gets a flag for knocking off Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) ’s helmet during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) with the ball during the against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23) attempts to intercept the ball from Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mack Hollins (18) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs with the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs with the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) wrestle for the ball at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off the ball to Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches the ball as Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) tries to tackle him at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) is brought down by the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) with the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions cheer after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans in the stands during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) with the ball during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions cheerleaders before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions sack Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions face off against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fan signs before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
The Lions warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) before the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans in the stands before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) before the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions players warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
A Lions fan in front of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans tailgate outside of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans tailgate outside of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans tailgate outside of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans tailgate outside of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
Lions fans tailgate outside of Ford Field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Christina Merrill | MLive.com
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions and their defense dominated to the tune of seven sacks and no touchdowns allowed in their 20-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 action.
But the rookies, on both sides of the ball, were also paramount to the team’s success back at Ford Field. Defensive back Brian Branch led the defense with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and two pass deflections. Jack Campbell notched the first sack of his career on the final play of the first half, with the linebacker bouncing around in different looks. And Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta ate a ton of looks.
Gibbs came on strong in the fourth quarter, running 17 times for 80 yards. He wasn’t involved in the passing attack as much as expected. But that’s where LaPorta enters the equation, with eight catches on 11 targets for 84 yards and the first touchdown of his career. LaPorta became the first rookie tight end in league history to notch at least five receptions through their first three games.
“It felt good getting back out here,” Branch said in the locker room. “Coming from a loss last week, we were hungry. We just wanted to get out here, and this is our get-back day, it felt like. We going to ride together, and shoot everybody plays for each other tonight, and shoot, ask a couple more.”
See below for MLive Lions beat writer Ben Raven’s quick postgame hit for YouTube, not to mention his Facebook Live from Ford Field:
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