The 5-1 Detroit Lions hosted the 1-5 Tennessee Titans in Week 8. The Lions were heavy pregame favorites coming off a win in Minnesota, giving the Vikings their first loss of the season. Tennessee came in trying to knock off Detroit in what seemed to be the perfect trap game for the Lions. Between last week’s win and next week’s game against NFC North rival Green Bay Packers, the Titans were hoping to catch the Lions in a cat nap. The Lions would go on to dominate and go to 6-1 for the first time since 1956.
Detroit Lions Playing ‘Sega’ In First Half
The Detroit Lions offense started the game with a quick three-and-out after Quarterback Jared Goff was sacked by an untouched defender on the game’s first play. The Lions’ defense caused a turnover, forcing an interception on Mason Rudolph. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske, intercepted a pass, giving the Lions a great field position deep in the Titans zone. The drive ended with David Montgomery, also known as “Knuckles,” pounding the rock into the end zone for his seventh touchdown of the season.
Mason Rudolph led the Titans “sleigh” to the end zone with a rushing touchdown to keep the game close. Jahmyr Gibbs is making his best Sonic impression, collecting all the rings on a 70-yard touchdown run. Kerby Joseph was able to force Rudolph’s second interception of the game, again giving the offense great field position. Goff only had 28 passing yards in the first half including touchdown passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brock Wright. Wright and fellow Tight End Sam LaPorta celebrated “National Tight End” Day with a pair of touchdowns. LaPorta’s coming from a pass from “Knuckles” himself.
The Detroit Lions forced a few turnovers in the first half, on top of having two great returns on special teams (one punt and one kick), setting up drives in Titan territory. The Lions scored 35 points in the first half, which would be the most points they have scored in a half since 1970. Despite giving up 118 first half yards to receiver Calvin Ridley, the Lions’ defense had a huge goal-line stand at the 1-yard line, keeping the Titans out of the end zone before the half. This first half was the first time in Detroit Lions history that five different players scored a touchdown in any half of football.
Detroit Lions Dominated Second Half
The second half started with Tennessee receiving the ball and the Detroit Lions defense forcing a 3-and-out. The special teams continued to show out as Punt Returner Kalif Raymond took the Titans’ punt 90 yards to the house for his second career punt return touchdown. The Lions defense came out of the half shutting down the Tennessee offense and forcing a fumble on Ridley.
Detroit would start their fifth possession of the day in Titans territory. With the short field, Goff was able to find a wide-open Kalif Raymond out of the backfield for a touchdown. Raymond was the sixth different Lion to find the end zone on a play that he could have run all the way to “Smashville.” He became the only player in the NFL to have a punt return and receiving touchdown in the same game this season.
Detroit Lions Kicker Jake Bates set a franchise record, starting his NFL career 11 for 11 with a 51-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter to put the Lions up 52-14. The Lions’ defense would force their fourth turnover of the game early in the fourth quarter. Isiah Thomas would do his best “Zeke” impression by controlling the ball after a Titan fumble. This defense was playing like the “Bad Boys” from the 80s getting after it all game. Jared Goff ended his day with less than 100 yards and three touchdowns but was able to put on 52 points. Goff would hand the ball over to backup Hendon Hooker to close out the blowout win.
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Lions started slow for the first two minutes of the game, but for the last 58 minutes, they were dominant. Goff didn’t have the most impressive stat line, but the defense and special teams helped out tremendously. Kalif Raymond did his best Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson impression by being the most electrifying man in the building. The Lions continue to take care of business and prove they are one of the NFL’s elite teams. With the trade deadline looming right after Halloween, this team could be spooky good with the right addition. The Lions have an appetite for cheese as they head to Green Bay next week to take on the Packers.
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