And that’s where the concern comes in.
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TITANS Defence – OVERALL (7), RUSH (7T), PASS (16). Shaun hill, a 36-year-old quarterback who hadn’t started since 2014, ended up with 236 passing yards and was never sacked. Detroit has shown already this year that they can win a shootout, and that ability alone will test the Titans, whose gameplan isn’t conducive to opening up the offense and firing it deep on a consistent basis. Taking a chance on him in worth the risk against the Titans. It all starts up front, where a plethora of talented defensive linemen must learn to work together to pressure opposing quarterbacks. And he should be able to do so against Tennessee’s secondary. Matthew Stafford had one of the best games of his career in the victory, going 31 of 39 passing for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Walker had six receptions for 83 yards, including a 30-yard TD catch early in the fourth quarter that helped Tennessee pull within five points. Williams made an immediate impact recording a tackle for loss on Titans running back DeMarco Murray on the first play of the game. But, after surrendering 450 total yards last week, the Lions defense must be better against a Titans offense that is due for a breakout.
The Titans should be able to hold their own when it comes to stopping the run. but Stafford and his group of receivers should be able to take to the skies once again when they face the Titans. The Titans offensive line did a decent job of keeping Mariota protected last week, and I expect the focus to remain on plying the underneath and timing routes where Mariota can do so much damage.
Detroit’s defense isn’t exactly stout.
The Lions are 13-4 SU in their last 17 games against teams with losing records. The Lions’ defense didn’t force a single turnover and only managed to sack Luck twice despite the Colts’ weak offensive line. They just need to clean up their act. The Titans won’t put a muzzle on Marcus Mariota (he threw 41 passes in Week 1), but they won’t ask him to win the game. Running backs Chris Johnson (125 yards) and LenDale White (106 yards) combined for 231 of the club’s yards on the ground. ABOUT THE LIONS (1-0): Tennessee will have to keep a close eye on both Abdullah and Reddick as they also were unsafe out of the backfield last week, with each making a touchdown catch while combining for 104 yards on 10 receptions. Mariota has to be on point and the run game has to have success. Offensively, the Titans must get back to the identity they want.
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The Detroit Lions cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Detroit. If Tennessee can find its rhythm on offense this week, that score could be replicated. “We understand that we don’t want to get off to the same start as past year, and in order to do so we need to go out there and win”.
