By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans are heading into their final three games in excellent shape, especially offensively. Derrick Henry comes off a 215 yard game, and is positioning himself to be the league’s first repeat rushing champion in 13 years. A.J. Brown had another big game against Jacksonville, and the Titans often maligned defense only allowed one touchdown in a 31-10 victory that improved their record to 9-4. The Titans remained tied atop the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts, who also won over the Las Vegas Raiders. But the Titans still own the tie-breaker, as they are now 4-1 inside the division.
The Detroit Lions come into Nashville in disarray, both on and off the field. Their longtime QB Matthew Stafford left the game in pain Sunday after doing his best to keep the Lions in the contest against the first place Green Bay Packers. But his efforts fell short as the Lions were defeated 31–24 and he ended on the sidelines with injured ribs. Stafford did not attend the post game press conference, so his status for Sunday is uncertain.
The Lions fired both their coach and general manager earlier this season. They have three running backs, the best of them being rookie D’Andre Swift, but he just returned from injury this past Sunday. They threw the ball 40 times against the Packers, but if backup QB Chase Daniel has to play, then the Titans should be able to capitalize. The Lions defense has been just as bad as the Titans, and Sunday were repeatedly unable to stop the Packers from converting on third down.
The Lions have a dangerous kick return threat in Jamal Agnew, who had a 71-yard return against Green Bay. But they are 5-8 for a reason, and now 1-1 under interim coach Darrell Bevell. The Titans are hoping to finally get Adoree Jackson back in the secondary, but otherwise look to break the cycle of 9-7 records and also continue their push for the playoffs.
