Following wins at Dallas and Minnesota, the Detroit Lions (5-1) return home to Ford Field to face the Tennessee Titans (1-5) before heading back on the road for two more weeks.
The Lions are in first place in the NFC North after a 31-29 win over the Vikings while the Titans have lost two consecutive games and make their first trip to Ford Field since 2016.
Titans report: Tennessee is coming off a 34-10 defeat at Buffalo, where they led 10-0 before giving up 34 unanswered. The Titans were without starting quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) for the game as Mason Rudolph took quarterback responsibilities. Rudolph is expected to start again for Tennessee against Detroit on Sunday.
The Titans’ offense is led by Tony Pollard, who has 400 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and wide receiver Calvin Ridley, should be in line for more targets with the departure of DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to the Chiefs earlier in the week. Ridley leads the team with 183 receiving yards, as Tennessee’s passing game ranks 32nd in the league.
It’s a complete flip in terms of statistics for the defense, which ranks first overall in total defense. They also rank in the top 10 in both rushing and passing defense.
The Titans have only forced three turnovers and given up 12, both ranked in the bottom five in the league, and that’s contributed to the team’s slow start in head coach Brian Callahan’s first year in charge.
Sunday’s matchup is Tennessee’s third game against NFC North opponents in just seven games, previously losing to Chicago (Week 1) and Green Bay (Week 3). The Titans will play the Vikings in Week 11.
Last meeting: The two franchises last played in 2020, when the Titans won 46-25. Detroit kept it a close game for the first three quarters, trailing by no more than nine points. Matt Prater converted a 53-yard field goal to cut Detroit’s deficit to six entering the fourth quarter. However, three Titans touchdowns in the fourth created separation for Tennessee’s 10th victory of the season.
Quick hits:
1. In a separate trade with Seattle this week, the Titans acquired linebacker Jerome Baker and a fourth-round draft pick in exchange for linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
2. The Titans have the series advantage 10-3 and Detroit hasn’t defeated them since the franchise relocated to Tennessee.
3. Kicker Nick Folk has a current streak of 80 consecutive field goals made on attempts from 40 yards or less, an NFL record.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-7 followed by the rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 411.8 (2) | 338.3 (18) | 155.5 (4) | 256.3 (3) | 92.5 (5) | 245.8 (27) | 11 (T-8) |
| Titans | 259.2 (31) | 272.2 (1) | 113.3 (21) | 145.8 (32) | 105.5 (7) | 166.7 (3) | 3 (T-29) |
Next on the schedule:
- Tennessee: vs. New England, Nov. 3, 1:00 p.m.
- Detroit: at Green Bay, Nov. 3, 4:25 p.m.
Here are five Titans storylines to follow into Sunday afternoon’s matchup:
1. Mason Rudolph media availability: ‘Got plenty of reps locked’
Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph addresses the media as he prepares for the Lions on Sunday in case starting quarterback Will Levis is unable to play because of injury.
2. The OTP | Pregame – Week 8
On this episode of the Official Titans Podcast, Tennessee’s Vice President of Broadcasting Mike Keith, Director of Broadcasting Amie Wells and Senior Writer Jim Wyatt discuss five topics ahead of the Titans game against the Lions.
3. It’s Lions week: Quick hits on the Titans after Thursday’s practice
Titans’ Senior Writer and Editor Jim Wyatt shares all the latest news from the Tennessee practice field including injury updates on starting quarterback Will Levis.
4. Jerome Baker media availability: ‘Come in here and do my part’
Tennessee linebacker talks with the media for the first time since being traded to the Titans from the Seahawks as he joins the top-ranked defense in the league.
5. Catch Cally?: What Titans HC Brian Callahan said about QB situation, trade talk and more
Tennessee Senior Writer and Editor Jim Wyatt recaps the latest news from Titans head coach Brian Callahan’s media session on Wednesday, addressing the quarterback situation, recent trades and more.
