NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Titans (1-5) head to Detroit a massive (+12) point underdog against the Lions (5-1).
The Titans are expected to start Mason Rudolph at quarterback for an injured Will Levis for the second game in a row. Rudolph started last week in Buffalo when the Titans opened with a 10-0 lead, and then surrendered 34 unanswered points for their fifth loss of the season.
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Tennessee enters the game against the Lions’ second-ranked offense without both of its starting cornerbacks. Chidobe Awuzie is on Injured Reserve with a groin injury and L’Jarius Sneed will miss a second consecutive with a quad injury.
NFL Team Offense
1. Baltimore – 461 Yards Per Game
2. Detroit – 411 Yards Per Game
3. San Francisco – 404 Yards Per Game
31. Tennessee – 259 Yards Per Game
It is a nightmare scenario for the Titans against a Lions offense that is on fire right now behind Jared Goff who is completing over 73% of his passes this season.
“Jared’s probably the most efficient passer right now in football,” said Titans head coach Brian Callahan. “And then they got a good offensive line that they’ve built over time there that’s really, really physically impressive.”
That offensive line also leads an explosive Lions run game that averages 4.9 yards per carry this season. Jahmyr Gibbs is having a breakout year out of the Lions backfield averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
While the Lions bang away with their run game it sets them up for big plays in play action. They have 28 explosive runs (over 20 yards) this season. The first key for the Titans is to slow that run game and put Detroit in more obvious passing situations.
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The struggling Titans offense not only enters the game with backup Mason Rudolph at quarterback but now without wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to Kansas City Wednesday for a conditional 5th-round draft pick. With Treylon Burks on Injured Reserve, the Titans look much different at wide receiver than they started the season. Mason Kinsey was added to the roster Saturday when he was signed off of the practice squad.
Titans Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd – 18 Rec. 170 Yards
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – 3 Rec. 19 Yards, 2 TD’s
Jha’Quan Jackson – 0 Rec.
Mason Kinsey – 0 Rec.
Calvin Ridley – 12 Rec. 183 Yards, TD
When Rudolph puts in the air he has to be well aware of safety Brian Branch who already has four interceptions and 11 passes defended this season. As a team, the Titans have one interception in six games.
This is a complete mismatch on paper. The Titans’ only real chance is to dominate the run game, shorten the game and find a way to win the turnover battle.