What we learnt about the Lions defense is unknown, the Colts passing attack just might be that good whilst their rushing attack might be the worst out there. Their new running backs are as versatile and risky as fans and coaches hoped, and Marcus Mariota appears to have improved as a passer. The home field atmosphere should help out the Lions defense with the roar of Lions fans helping to make things hard on the Titans offense.
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The Lions home opener for this year, sees them once again taking on AFC South opposition and it seems that they are playing teams based on ascending strength of defense. And that’s where the concern comes in. “They have some good pass rushers”. He also ran four times for 19 yards, which is close to his 2015 average of 3.1 rushes per game for 22.9 yards.
This will be a clash of styles, then, because for as much as the Lions want to throw it behind red-shot quarterback Matthew Stafford, they remain very much committed to making the run work. If he can maintain that sort of play the Titans will have a chance anywhere they go. The defensive front wasn’t able to take down the immobile Hill, either.
Andre Johnson and Harry Douglas will both see the field against the Lions, but neither should be expected to do too much. That has forced Stafford to spread the ball more, and it worked well in Week 1. And he should be able to do so against Tennessee’s secondary. It would be unlikely for the Detroit secondary to suffer as badly in Week 2, as the Titans do not possess the same talent as Indianapolis at most skill positions. Matthew Stafford completed 31 of 39 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
They finished last in the league a year ago, at 83.4 rushing yards per game, but overhauled their scheme this offseason, drafted Taylor Decker to play left tackle, moved Riley Reiff to right tackle and installed Abdullah as the starting running back. That said, Tennessee will have an easier task of throwing the ball this week than they did against an elite Vikings defense.
Detroit’s defense isn’t exactly stout. WR Marvin Jones had four receptions for team-high 85 yards in debut with team. The Lions’ defense didn’t force a single turnover and only managed to sack Luck twice despite the Colts’ weak offensive line.
TITANS offense did manage, however, to convert an impressive 8-of-14 third-down opportunities in Week 1 vs. tough Vikings D. They just need to clean up their act.
Kicker Rob Bironas goes a ideal four-for-four on field goals (49, 41, 45, 43 yards) in the second half to stretch the lead … Pair that with his ability to run, as well as the two backs he has (DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry), and the Titans are certainly capable of surpassing their 16 from last week.
He gained 45 yards on seven carries against Indianapolis, plus scored a 21-yard touchdown on his first carry of the season. The Titans contained AP last time, vital they do something similar to these two otherwise the Lions will be moving down the field and scoring in a hurry. Mariota has to be on point and the run game has to have success. They also committed three turnovers, two by Marcus Mariota that were returned for touchdowns. The Titans won 44-41 in overtime in the last Nashville meeting, in 2012.
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Chris Johnson and LenDale White lead Tennessee on the ground, each eclipsing the 100-yard mark and adding two scores apiece in a Thanksgiving Day victory …
