From Big Plays to Big Scares: The Lions' Night in Atlanta
Detroit Lions defeat Atlanta Falcons - 2025 Preseason Week 1
It was an ending nobody saw coming. One minute, the Detroit Lions were riding a wave of rookie highlights in their preseason clash against the Atlanta Falcons. The next, the stadium was silent.
With just over 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Detroit Lions’ safety Morice Norris went down after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Atlanta Falcons’ running back Nathan Carter. The impact sent Norris to the turf as medical staff and concerned players rushed to his side. The stadium fell silent as players from both sidelines took a knee in Solidarity as he was loaded into an ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital.
Head Coaches Dan Campbell and Raheem Morris agreed to call the game right then. This is a rare move in the NFL, but the right one in this case. By Monday, Norris was back in Detroit at the Lions’ facility and in concussion protocol. “It's good to have him back”, Campbell said. “We’re going to take it nice and easy here to make sure he’s good”.
Up until that moment, the rookies were stealing the show as we had predicted in our Next Man Up: Hooker, Williams, & Ratledge, Ready for Preseason Week 2 Test vs. Atlanta Falcons preseason preview.
Williams & Ratledge Impress in Debut
Detroit Lions first-round Defensive Tackle Tyleik Williams showed flashes of his Ohio State dominance, consistently pushing the pocket and holding his ground against the run. Lions' second-round right guard Tate Ratledge cleared paths all night, using his leverage to drive defenders out of the play and open wide rushing lanes. On one standout snap, he overpowered Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Morgan Fox to give Lions’ running back Craig Reynolds a lane wide enough to walk through untouched.
Allen Turns Up the Heat in QB Competition
Henden Hooker opened the night with a steady 7-of-10 for 38 yards, adding 27 rushing yards but losing two fumbles on three rushing attempts. Kyle Allen came in and lit up the scoreboard—7-of-8 for 120 yards, two touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating. If this QB competition were a two-minute race, Allen just took the inside lane.
Isaac Teslaa’s First NFL Score
Undrafted wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa continues to prove he’s more than just a camp standout. He high-pointed a touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone, then threw a block that cleared the runway for a first down on a WR screen. Right now, he’s catching passes like he’s running on autopilot.
Defensive Energy All Night
Lions veteran edge Al-Quadin Muhammad opened the night with relentless pressure, recording a sack and tackle for loss. Defensive end Nate Lynn added another sack and now leads the Lions with seven pressures through two preseason games. On offense, rookie wide receiver Jackson Meeks rebounded from an early drop for a 68-yard reception and a 1-yard touchdown.
The Lions will head home to face the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, August 16, in Detroit. If they can keep this pace, the preseason could be remembered as the moment the Lions hit the gas—and never looked back.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field