FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn has faced some good quarterbacks over his seven NFL seasons, and Detroit's Matthew Stafford isn't too far down the list.
"He's really good," Clayborn said of Stafford. "He looks downfield on the run. He throws downfield on the run. And he runs pretty fast, for a quarterback."
The 2-0 Falcons are well aware of the challenge posed by the 2-0 Lions, particularly with Stafford running the offense. Stafford has six touchdown passes already this season, which is tied with Denver's Trevor Siemian for most in the NFL after two games. And Stafford's 114.6 passer rating is fourth-best in the league, right above the Falcons' Matt Ryan (112.2).
Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen puts Stafford in the same category as Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers -- a two-time NFL MVP -- in terms of both having ability to extend plays and make the tough throw.
"They're essentially the same kind of quarterback," Allen said. "They both are two quarterbacks who both have really strong arms. They really have strong arms to push the ball down the field. They can hit any spot on the field. But with those kind of quarterbacks, you typically don't see that they can get out of a bad rush. They can get out of bad things and make something happen. They're at the top for a reason."
Stafford only threw for 122 yards in Monday night's 24-10 win over the New York Giants, but he tossed two touchdowns without an interception and can make throws from any angle. Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who assigned the Monday night game to his players as homework, realizes Stafford is capable of making any throw and extending plays.
"We’ll have our work cut out for us, but you better be able to finish your rushes because he’s not going to just stay where you want him to be," Quinn said. "He'll be in different spots, move, and be active.
"The last part of their offense that they don’t talk about a lot is not something you guys would discuss, but they have a very good screen game. It’s something that they use actively. They’ve got runners that can catch it and wideouts that are good catch-and-run guys like Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. Anytime you can get the ball into a playmaker’s hands whether you throw it to him with a quick screen or with jailbreaks. Those are good options as well."
The Falcons certainly have a rush plan even with reigning NFL sack champ Vic Beasley sidelined by a hamstring strain. The Falcons hope the combo of Clayborn, rookie Takk McKinley, Derrick Shelby, and Brooks Reed off the edges, along with the interior push from Grady Jarrett and Dontari Poe -- and maybe a cameo or two by strongside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell -- will help keep the pressure on Stafford even though the Lions having a stout offensive line. McKinley will replace Beasley at the left end in the nickel package.
"We have to try and corral him, keep him in the pocket, and get after him," Clayborn said of Stafford.
Quinn's crew has to be aware of Stafford's ability to effectively run the hurry-up offense and catch them off guard. The Falcons also had to be on high alert in the red zone, where Stafford & Co. have converted 6 of 6 opportunities to start the season.
"For sure it's going to be a factor," Quinn said of red zone defense. "We've added some calls that we didn't have maybe in the last couple years, and that's been a real factor. And that was by [defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel's] direction. He looked at the red zone forever that we've been together, and it's something that he, 'Hey, this is a change I think we need to emphasize and some things to do better.' We're playing better because of that."