Two touchdowns in the first quarter and one just before half time have handed the Atlanta Falcons a 21-0 lead at the break of their NFL clash against the Detroit Lions.

Playing at London's Wembley Stadium, the Falcons started on the front foot when quarterback Matt Ryan completed a short pass out wide to Devonta Freeman.

The rookie then powered through a gap and into the corner of the endzone for his first ever NFL touchdown.

Detroit's sluggish start continued as Ryan kept things moving for the opposition, almost picking out Julio Jones in the endzone with a big throw downfield.

Better was to come for the Falcons when a defensive penalty call against rookie safety Jerome Couplin brought the offense to the one-yard line.

Ryan went on to pick out tight-end Bear Pascoe, who scored a second touchdown for the Falcons with his first ever catch for the team.

On the third down in the second quarter, Nick Fairley went in for a sack on Matt Ryan at the same time as Ndamukong Suh and picked up a nasty-looking knee injury which ultimately ruled him out of the game.

Things would get worse for the Lions as Rashean Mathis intercepted a Ryan pass in the endzone and returned it all the way for a touchdown, but the referee called pass interference against the safety, ruling the score out.

Just moments later, Steven Jackson ran into the endzone from a yard out for his side's third touchdown.