As the sun sets on a crisp autumn afternoon, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee Titans. One team is eager to continue their dominance in the NFL, and the other is trying to find their identity. Fans of Detroit should expect a blowout win for the Lions, while the Titans look like they will be in a rebuilding year, with only one win to the resume against the Miami Dolphins back in Week 4. Nevertheless, this will still be a good game for the Lions, especially after their hard-fought victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week.
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time1:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Ford Field
How to Watch (TV): FOX
Lions record: 5-1
Titans record: 1-5
Betting Odds
Spread
Lions -11
Titans +11
Moneyline
Lions -600
Titans +425
Total
OVER 45.5 (-110)
UNDER 45.5 (-110)
Titans Injury Report
L'Jarius Sneed, CB - Questionable
Tyjae Spears, RB - Questionable
Will Levis, QB - Questionable
Keondre Coburn, DT - Questionable
Lions Injury Report
Kevin Zeitler, G - Questionable
Aidan Hutchinson, DE - IR
Just this week, the Titans traded veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round pick, so now the Titans' offense is without one of their best wide receivers. Seriously, this NFL team is still looking for their way, especially after this trade. First, running back Derrick Henry went to the Ravens in free agency, now DHop? Titan's fans might have to cash out this season and look to the off-season and draft to make an impact in the 2025 season.
Lions
Offense
The offense should have a field day against the Titans' defense, which ranks 13th overall. Jahmyr Gibbs should be taking more snaps than Montgomery, especially after that scary tackle he took in the game against Minnesota. Montgomery was able to come back into the game, but this will be something to watch and be cautious about, especially going against an inferior opponent to the Lions. Gibbs will use his speed and awareness to run through the Titans' defense and gain large amounts of yardage on every snap he takes.
As for the passing game, that shouldn't be an issue for the Lions either. Wide receiver Amon Ra St. Brown has been playing lights out, as has Jameson Williams (even though he is currently serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy). Not to mention the quiet MVP season Jared Goff has been having. Goff has been one of them most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL going into Week 7, producing over 200 yards through the air and at least one touchdown. Goff could have a field day here and put over 300 yards through the air, putting him higher on the MVP candidate list.
Defense
It shouldn't be a problem for the defense to make plays as well. Brian Branch is one of the league leaders in interceptions with 4, and without DHop, the Titans offense will have to find ways to be more creative in moving the football through the air. The Titans are also dead last in the NFL in their passing game, averaging just 145.8 yards per game. Without the Hopkins security blanket, the Titans look in no shape to improve their standings in the passing game.
Lions'on's rushing defense should have no problems here, either. The Titans rank 21st in rushing offense, and with Spears questionable, the defense should not face much adversity in the run game. Either way, this will not be a trenches game for the Lions, and expect some rookie second-stringers to take more reps toward the end of the game.
Titans
Offense
Ranking last in passing is unsuitable for any team, especially the Titans. Now, with Hopkins gone, it will be an even further road to climb out of if they want to get the ball going through the air. The next best option is Calvin Ridley, who has had a rough season. Whenever the ball is thrown his way, he just doesn't seem to be able to bring it in and hold onto the ball. Nevertheless, he has shown sparks of his true potential, so maybe something will happen in this game.
The Titans can't rely on the run game this time, either. With RB1 Spears status up in the air for the game, it will be even more challenging to try and move the ball on the ground. It wouldn't matter either, with the Lion's lockdown rushing defense ranking 5th overall. Overall, this is not a good game for the Titans offensively.
Defense
Here's where the Titans could win the game. The passing defense currently ranks 3rd overall, only allowing 166.7 yards per game. It's frustrating for a QB to move the ball through the air. The run defense is stellar, ranking seventh and only allowing 105.5 yards per game. If the Titans' defense can hold, then maybe this game will not be impossible for them to win. But they will have to play almost perfectly to prevent the Lions' offense from getting into a groove.
My Verdict
This should be a pretty easy win for the Lions. I expect this game will go to them by a big margin. I do not see the Lions losing this game unless they are not in a groove. The Titans are in a rebuilding phase, and the Lions will capitalize on that.
Final Score: 42-10 Lions
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