Tag: Week 7

Updating Vegas Watch: Lions now 2-point underdogs at Falcons in Week 7

Examining Bet MGM for updated betting lines for the Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons Week 7 matchup.

According to BetMGM, the Detroit Lions (2-3) opened Week 7 as 2.5-point underdogs to the Atlanta Falcons (1-5) but the betting line has seen a slight shift, and the Lions and they are now getting just 2 points in this game.

The over/under has also dipped a bit, dropping from 56.5 earlier in the week, to 54.5-points this morning. 2020 has seen a jump in production in offenses and both teams have shown the ability to put up points, so when you couple that with both secondaries being vulnerable, this shift is surprising.

BetMGM has a lot of various bet lines to wager on in this game, but here’s a look at the basic concepts most would be interested in, including the Moneyline, points spread, and over/under.

Moneyline

Lions +110
Falcons -129

Spread

Lions +2 -110
Falcons -2 -110

Over/Under

Total points scored Over Under
54.5 -110 -110

Lions total points scored

Lions total points Over Under
18.5 -527 +360
21.5 -286 +210
24.5 -167 +130
27.5 -110 -118
30.5 +140 -182
33.5 +210 -278
36.5 +333 -500

There are also a considerable amount of player prop bets added, including touchdowns scorers, the first player to score, quarterback passing props (yards, touchdowns, interceptions, attempts, completions, longest completion), running back props (rushing yards, attempts, rushing + receiving yards), and receiver props (receiving yards, receptions, longest reception).

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Detroit Lions Week 7: Comprehensive depth chart

A comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions depth chart as they take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 of the 2020 season.

In this comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions roster, we will be examining not only the positional depth chart but also looking at who coaches will turn to in specific situations, including who will step up in case of injury.

Here’s a look at the Lions depth chart as they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in Week 7 of the 2020 season.

Note: Starters will be listed in BOLD and you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles.

Quarterback

  • Matthew Stafford (9)
  • Chase Daniel (4)
  • David Blough (10) — Inactive

Running back

Third Down back

  • D’Andre Swift (32)
  • Jamal Agnew (39) — gadget option

Fullback

  • Jason Cabinda (45)

Wide receiver

  • Kenny Golladay (19)
  • Marvin Jones Jr. (11)
  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Jamal Agnew (39)
  • Marvin Hall (17)
  • Quintez Cephus (87) — Inactive

Slot receiver

  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Jamal Agnew (39)

Tight end

Expected starting offensive line

  • LT — Taylor Decker (68)
  • LG — Jonah Jackson (73)
  • C — Frank Ragnow (77)
  • RG — Hal Vaitai (72)
  • RT — Tyrell Crosby (65)

Reserve offensive line

  • LT – Tyrell Crosby (65), Matt Nelson (67)
  • LG – Joe Dahl (66), Oday Aboushi (76)
  • C – Joe Dahl (66), Jonah Jackson (73)
  • RG – Oday Aboushi (76), Joe Dahl (66)
  • RT – Hal Vaitai (72), Matt Nelson (67)
  • Logan Stenberg (61) — Inactive

Interior defensive line

  • Danny Shelton (71), NT
  • Nick Williams (97), DT
  • Da’Shawn Hand (93), Big DE, DT
  • John Penisini (91), NT

EDGE Rushers

  • Trey Flowers (90) — DDE, 3T
  • Romeo Okwara (95) — DDE, 3T, JACK

Off-the-ball linebacker

  • Jamie Collins (58), MIKE, WILL, JACK
  • Reggie Ragland (59), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jahlani Tavai (51), JACK, MIKE, WILL
  • Christian Jones (52), WILL, JACK
  • Jarrad Davis (40), MIKE, WILL
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44), MIKE, WILL
  • Elijah Lee (55), WILL, MIKE

Cornerback

  • Desmond Trufant (23) — Ruled OUT
  • Amani Oruwariye (24)
  • Jeff Okudah (30)
  • Darryl Roberts (29)
  • Mike Ford (38) — activated from IR
  • Tony McRae (34)

Slot cornerback

  • Darryl Roberts (29)
  • Tony McRae (34)

Safety

  • Duron Harmon (26), Single-high, Slot, JOKER
  • Tracy Walker (21), JOKER, Single-high, Slot
  • Jayron Kearse (42), Slot, JOKER
  • Will Harris (25), Slot, JOKER
  • C.J. Moore (49), Single-high, Slot

Third-safety

  • Jayron Kearse (42)
  • Will Harris (25)

Kicking team

  • Matt Prater (5) — placekicker
  • Jack Fox (3) — punter, holder, kickoffs
  • Don Muhlbach (48) — long snapper

Kick returns

  • Jamal Agnew (39) — kick returner and punt returner
  • Danny Amendola (80) — reserve punt returner
  • Marvin Hall (17) — reserve kick returner

Kick coverage

  • Tony McRae (34) — gunner
  • Jamal Agnew (39) or Jayron Kearse (42) — gunner
  • Miles Killebrew (35) — Won’t play due to a personal issue
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — five-phase specialist
  • Jason Cabinda (53) — five-phase specialist
  • Will Harris (25) — Personal Protector (PP)

Teams final injury reports

Injured reserve/PUP list

Seahawks elevate LB Ray-Ray Armstrong from practice squad

The Seattle Seahawks have elevated linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong from the practice squad ahead of the Week-7 contest against the Cardinals.

The Seattle Seahawks announced one roster move Saturday afternoon, the team has opted to elevated linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong from the practice squad.

The new rule for this year allows the elevation of up to two players per week, who are then available for the matchup. No corresponding moves are required and the elevated players will automatically revert back to the practice squad the following day without having to clear waivers. However, each player can only be elevated twice per season before having to be added to the active roster to play.

Seattle just signed Armstrong this week, on the same day the Seahawks signed linebacker Mychal Kendricks to the practice squad. Kendricks finished last season on the injured reserve as a result of a torn ACL.

Armstong originally entered the league in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Miami. Over his eight-year career, he has spent time with the 49ers, Giants, Raiders, Rams, Browns, Cowboys and Saints.

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Chiefs elevate two players for Week 7 vs. Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs will have two practice squad players available to play on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated a pair of players ahead of their Week 7 contest against the Denver Broncos.

One of the new features of NFL practice squads during the 2020 season is the ability to elevate two players to the active roster. Players are designated as “COVID-19 replacements” or elevated using the “Standard Elevation” addendum. When the game is over the players simply go back to the practice squad. The one catch is that this can only be used twice on a player before they’re subject to waivers.

This week marks the first week all season that the Chiefs have elevated their two allotted players according to the NFL’s official transaction report. First, they elevated WR Marcus Kemp using the “Standard Elevation.” Kemp was also elevated last week, so this would be the last time Kansas City would be allowed to elevate the special teams ace in such a fashion.

In addition to Kemp, the team elevated OL Danny Isidora. Isidora was the only player the Chiefs protected on the practice squad earlier in the week. The team, of course, is shorthanded along the offensive line with injuries to Mitchell Schwartz and Kelechi Osemele.

Isidora first joined the team in September as a member of the practice squad. He was a former fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and has spent some time with Miami Dolphins as well. The 6-3 and 306-pound offensive lineman has spent most of his career, NFL and college, playing the guard position. That’ll likely be the area that he’s prepared to fill in if the Chiefs suffer another injury.

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Seahawks guard Mike Iupati downgraded to out for Week 7 in Arizona

Seattle Seahawks guard Mike Iupati has been downgraded from questionable to out for Week 7 against the Cardinals due to a back injury.

The Seattle Seahawks had only ruled out safety Jamal Adams on Friday ahead of the team’s Week-7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The only other player noted on the injury report was guard Mike Iupati, who was listed as questionable to play.

Seattle Has now downgraded Iupati to “out” for Sunday night due to his back injury.

“He’s struggled this week some,” coach Pete Carroll had said Friday. “It was an uncomfortable couple days, so we have to see how he is by the weekend and all that, and for next week. We’ve got to see, we’ve got to get Mike so he’s healed and that he has returned fully because it has nagged him a little bit, so I’m a little concerned about that.”

Jordan Simmons, who got the nod for Iupati in Week 5, will likely get the start once again.

Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m. PT at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

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Detroit Lions elevate TE Isaac Nauta to the active roster for Week 7

The Detroit Lions announced they have elevated tight end Isaac Nauta to the active roster for Week 7.

The Detroit Lions announced they have elevated tight end Isaac Nauta from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 7.

This is the second time in as many weeks Nauta has found his way onto the 53-man roster, playing 18 snaps on offense in Week 6 with no statistical production — which isn’t overly surprising as he is mainly utilized in a blocking capacity.

Being able to elevate a practice squad player to the active roster is a new rule for 2020, due to COVID-19, but there are some important details to keep in mind.

After Nauta plays in the game on Sunday, he will then revert back to the Lions practice squad without having to clear waivers. But moving forward, if the Lions wish to elevate him to the active roster again, the rule has some stipulations:

“No player may be activated under this rule for more than two games per season, either regular-season or postseason games,” per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “If a player has already been elevated twice under this rule, and the team wants to add him to the roster, it must terminate his practice-squad contract and sign him to an NFL contract, as has been the case with practice-squad players in years past.”

So, while Nauta will return to the practice squad after this week’s game, if the Lions wish to use Nauta in another game this season, he would have to be signed to the active roster.

Report: Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue

Multiple sources are reporting Detroit Lions safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue.

Multiple sources are reporting Detroit Lions safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue. The team is expected to confirm the report later today.

MLive’s Kyle Meinke was the first reporter with the news, but with Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman also echoing the report, it’s safe to claim the reports are accurate. ESPN’s Mike Rothstein is adding that the personal issue is not COVID-19 related, but nothing more beyond that is known at this time.

Killebrew has yet to see a snap on defense in 2020, but he has been involved in all five phases of special teams, logging 112 snaps over four games and earning a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 83.1 for the season — the highest special teams grade on the Lions, save for punter Jack Fox.

His impact will be surely be missed and will put more pressure on the Lions other special teams players, specifically Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jayron Kearse, C.J. Moore, Jason Cabinda, and Will Harris.

Look for Elijah Lee, who has been a healthy scratch the last two games and has five-phase special teams experience, to potentially be active this week in Killebrew’s stay.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing the Lions matchup in Atlanta with Falcons Wire

Thanks to Matt Urben for taking the time and answering our questions

It’s been a long time since the Lions and Falcons last met. That Week 3 matchup back in the 2017 season was a memorable one, but both teams have had coaching and significant personnel changes since.

To get caught up on what’s going on with the 1-5 team in Atlanta, I turned to Falcons Wire editor — and former Lions Wire staffer — Matt Urben for some questions about the new-look birds. Thanks to Urben for the info!

The changes to the coaching staff and management seemed to work. How would you assess Raheem Morris’ interim debut with the Falcons?

Morris has handled the entire situation extremely well, and the players seemed to respond on the field in Week 6. Defensively, there was a renewed sense of energy. The team played with speed on both sides of the ball for all four quarters. Atlanta has actually played well in the first half of most games this season but as Lions fans will understand, there just seems to be a mental hurdle when closing opponents out.

If Morris can figure out how to minimize the Falcons’ late-game woes, this is a talented football team that could go on a run.

What’s going on with Julio Jones?

Julio Jones exploded in Week 1, then suffered a severe hamstring injury that slowed him down. After sitting out in Week 5, Jones came back and absolutely lit up the Vikings in Week 6. Similar to Calvin Johnson during his later years, Jones’ big frame causes him to basically live on the injury report. When he’s out there healthy, though, Julio is still the best receiver in football.

Who are some bright spots that deserve more national attention for their play?

One huge bright spot has been linebacker Foye Oluokun, who’s taken an unlikely path as a sixth-round pick out of Yale to a difference-making part of the Falcons’ defense. Entering the year, many doubted whether Oluokun could replicate the production of De’Vondre Campbell, who signed with the Cardinals in free agency. Through six games, you could argue the third-year LB has been an upgrade from Campbell. Oluokun forced three fumbles in the first half against the Cowboys and recorded an interception last week against Minnesota.

What one matchup with the Lions worries you from an Atlanta perspective?

All three of the Lions’ receivers could be in for a big day. While Falcons first-round pick CB A.J. Terrell has been solid since returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team’s biggest weakness remains in the secondary. Safety Damontae Kazee is out for the year. Veteran Darqueze Dennard and second-year CB Kendall Sheffield have each missed time, leaving Isaiah Oliver to pick up the pieces. It’s been ugly at times, and I think Stafford’s ability to get the ball out quickly will serve Detroit well.

Who wins and why?

This is really a tough game to pick. Both teams are underachieving, yet coming off of their biggest wins of the season. I think the Falcons keep things going in their second game under interim coach Raheem Morris.

Falcons 28, Lions 27

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 7 with Lions Wire

Pete Carroll hopeful Jamal Adams can return to practice next week

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is hopeful safety Jamal Adams can return to practice next week after battling a lingering groin injury.

The Seattle Seahawks have ruled out safety Jamal Adams ahead of their Week-7 battle against the Arizona Cardinals in the desert which has been flexed to “Sunday Night Football” in primetime.

Adams has missed the last two contests due to a lingering groin injury and won’t make the trip this week either.

Coach Pete Carroll is hopeful Adams will return to practice soon.

“He’s really close,” Carroll said Friday. “We want to make sure to get it right. The consensus is that it’s better to wait until next week. I anticipate that he’ll be practicing next week. We hoped to and wanted to, but we couldn’t get him out, so we’re going to leave him home, one more good weekend of rehab and prep and try to break him out next week.”

Adams was the only Seahawks ruled out against the Cardinals. Guard Mike Iupati, however, was listed as questionable to play with a back injury.

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