The Detroit Lions will be looking to get improved play from all three phases tonight as they take on the Atlanta Falcons in preseason game No. 2 after dropping their preseason opener, 34-7, to the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
Here are five things to look out for in tonight’s contest:
Third-year quarterback Hendon Hooker gets the start tonight after Kyle Allen started and played the entire first half in the preseason opener.
“I think of Hooker as just keep diving into the work, keep getting the reps and he just needs some small victories,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week. “He just needs a few wins here just to stack some back-to-back reps, back-to-back days and I think that’s going to do him wonders.
“Look, he’s working, he grinds at it, he’s very coachable, he certainly has the ability. He’s going to get his opportunity. I already said he’s starting this week and we’re going to give him a load here and see what he can do with it.”
Hooker led four series last week and finished 3-of-6 passing for 18 yards with an interception running the third-team offense. Campbell is hoping the communication, execution, and ball movement of the second-team offense is much better tonight. Hooker and Allen (2) combined for three interceptions in the opener.
The two quarterbacks are in a close competition to be Jared Goff’s backup so each is looking to try and separate themselves from the other with a good performance tonight.