Titans Set to Face Lions in Week 8 Showdown

This Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, the Tennessee Titans (1-5) will visit the Detroit Lions (5-1) at Ford Field, with the Lions favored by 11 points according to BetMGM’s NFL odds. The Titans, at 1-5 against the spread this season, are facing off against the Lions, who boast an impressive 5-1 record against the spread. Historically, the Titans hold the upper hand with a series record of 10-3; however, the last encounter ended in a Titans victory, 46-25, back in December 2020.

Last week saw the Titans endure a heavy loss, falling to the Buffalo Bills 34-10, while the Lions narrowly defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31-29. The Titans have struggled offensively, ranking 31st overall, 21st in rushing, 32nd in passing, and tied for 25th in scoring. In contrast, the Lions rank second in overall offense and third in scoring, logging a notable performance recently.

On the defensive front, the Titans stand out, leading the league overall, and ranking 3rd in pass defense, which will be crucial as they prepare to face the Lions’ potent offense. Detroit’s defense, while solid, sits at 18th overall and 27th against the pass, underscoring potential vulnerabilities.

As both teams approach this matchup, a key player to watch for the Titans is running back Tony Pollard. With quarterback Will Levis likely resting for another week due to a shoulder injury, Mason Rudolph is set to start once more. Pollard carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards in the last game and has accumulated 400 rushing yards in the season’s first six games, marking a career milestone.

For the Lions, quarterback Jared Goff has been on a remarkable streak, achieving a passer rating of 140 or better across three consecutive games. He is looking to set a franchise record by achieving this rating for a fourth straight game, positioning him alongside notable NFL legends.

The anticipated showdown will pivot on how Tennessee’s elite defense can contain one of the league’s top offenses. Early last week against the Bills, the Titans held them to just 18 yards on their first three drives before things unraveled. The Lions have been scoring at an impressive rate of 40 points per game over their last three outings, highlighting the challenge ahead for Tennessee.

In terms of injuries, Titans head coach Brian Callahan is likely to extend quarterback Levis’ time off to recover from a sprained AC joint. Running back Tyjae Spears may return from injury, while offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan will be sidelined. Fortunately for the Lions, they appear to have avoided serious injuries, especially concerning running back David Montgomery who faced a scare last week.

The Titans historically have fared well at Ford Field, winning both of their previous encounters and extending a six-game winning streak against the Lions, the longest active streak versus any opponent. Since moving from Houston to Nashville, the Titans have only lost once to the Lions in Detroit.

Statistically, Callahan once served as the quarterbacks coach for the Lions from 2016 to 2017, bringing added context to this matchup. The Titans’ defense found success against the Bills, allowing just 74 rushing yards, their best performance this season. Despite their struggles, Tennessee ranks highly in average time of possession, holding the ball for around 31 minutes and 17 seconds per game.

Other notable performances include Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has surpassed 40 receiving yards in two of his three away games this season, along with TE Chig Okonkwo achieving a season-high of 50 receiving yards last week. Defensive standout OLB Harold Landry has recorded a tackle for loss in five of six games this season. On the other side, the Lions are embracing their success, boasting franchise records and individual feats straight out of the history books, including running back Jahmyr Gibbs’s stellar performance over multiple games.

For fantasy football enthusiasts, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is a clear choice as he’s caught touchdown passes in four consecutive games and could see increased targets with Jameson Williams serving a suspension.