Tennessee Titans (9-4) vs Detroit Lions (5-8)
Game Info: Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 1:00 pm (Nissan Stadium)
Betting Odds: Tennessee Titans -8.5 -- Over/Under: 54.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Detroit Lions will travel to Nissan Stadium to take on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday afternoon in NFL action.
The Detroit Lions dropped to 5-8 on the season after being defeated by the Green Bay Packers, 31-24, this past Sunday. Detroit struggled slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay passing attack and despite making it a one-possession game midway through the 4th quarter on a 2-yard TD run by Kerryon Johnson, the Lions could not fight back after a Mason Crosby 57-yard FG gave the Packers a 10-point lead with just 3:30 left in regulation. Detroit was outgained by Green Bay by a 410-293 margin and didn’t force any turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Lions was QB Matthew Stafford who completed 24 of 34 passes for 244 yards & 1 TD.
On the season, Detroit is averaging 23.8 ppg on 370.7 total yards per game (280.4 passing yds/g; 90.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Detroit has been led by QB Matthew Stafford who has completed 63.9% of his passes for 3,522 yards, 22 TD, & 9 INT. Stafford leave the game against Green Bay due to a rib injury and if he can’t go this week, it will be Chase Daniel (11 of 19, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) under center for the Lions. The top receiving threats for the Lions have been Marvin Jones Jr. (55 rec, 667 yards, 6 TD), T.J. Hockenson (58 rec, 657 yards, 6 TD), Danny Amendola (37 rec, 539 yards), and Kenny Golladay (20 rec, 338 yards, 2 TD). Golladay has been sidelined for the past few weeks due to a hip injury and is at best questionable this week. Leading the way for the Detroit backfield has been the trio of Adrian Peterson (139 att, 508 yards, 6 TD), D’Andre Swift (77 att, 355 yards, 5 TD), and Kerryon Johnson (52 att, 181 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Detroit is allowing their opponents to average 29.9 ppg on 408.5 total yards per game (275.7 passing yds/g; 132.8 rushing yds/g).
The Tennessee Titans improved to 9-4 on the season after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-10, this past Sunday. Tennessee had no trouble taking care of business against an overmatched Jaguars team and easily cruised to victory after taking a 31-3 lead with 8:48 left in the 3rd quarter. Tennessee outgained Jacksonville by a 454-354 margin and forced 1 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Titans was RB Derick Henry who had 215 rushing yards & 2 TD’s on 26 carries.
On the season, Tennessee is averaging 30.0 ppg on 405.2 total yards per game (247.4 passing yds/g; 157.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Tennessee has been led by RB Derrick Henry who has 1,532 rushing yards & 14 TD’s on 297 carries. QB Ryan Tannehill has completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,209 yards, 28 TD, & 5 INT. The top receiving threats for the Titans have been A.J. Brown (51 rec, 837 yards, 9 TD), Corey Davis (56 rec, 835 yards, 4 TD), and Jonnu Smith (32 rec, 358 yards, 7 TD).
Defensively, Tennessee is allowing their opponents to average 25.8 ppg on 396.2 total yards per game (282.3 passing yds/g; 113.8 rushing yds/g).
The Lions are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. The Tians are 10-21-1 ATS in their last 32 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Detroit is once again trending in the wrong direction as this is an offense that has struggled getting anything going in terms of their rushing attack while the defense ranks just 27th in total defense. Tennessee is a close battle in the AFC South with Indianapolis so you know that they can’t afford a slip up here and between the fact that Derrick Henry should have a field day against a poor Detroit rushing defense and that the Lions might not have Matthew Stafford available, I think the play here is to take Tennessee to cover this large home spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Tennessee Titans -8.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
