Detroit Lions vs Tennessee Titans predictions

The Detroit Lions have a chance to do something they haven't done in a long time on Sunday afternoon. A win against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field would move them to 6-1 on the season – their first 6-1 start since 1956 and just the fifth time they have won at least six of their first seven games in the 90 years since Franchise moved to Detroit.

(Last year, the Lions went 5-1 before being defeated by the Ravens in Baltimore.)

Of course, to get to 6-1, they will have to contend with a Titans defense that is considered one of the better units in the league. And a Titans offense that is struggling, to say the least. Can they do it? Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on the topic.

Dave Birkett

I think this is a trap game. The Lions are one of the three best teams in football, the Titans clearly are not. The Lions are coming off a big division win over the Vikings and face showdowns against potential playoff teams Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans in the next two weeks. And they will be shorthanded at the receiver and defensive positions due to suspensions and injuries. Despite all of this, I see no way the Lions will lose this game.

The Titans have a good defensive core, but they haven't made enough game-changing plays this season to be considered one of the NFL's best on that side of the ball. Tennessee will need to run the ball well and often to keep this game close, but the Lions simply have too much offensive firepower to blow a game like this at home. The choice: Lions 27, Titans 13.

Jeff Seidel

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn summed up Tennessee perfectly: “We were Tennessee when we got here. So it's going to take some time for these guys to get exactly where they want.” Don't misunderstand his point.

The Lions are not taking the Titans lightly. But the Lions are at a different stage, with the talent and culture to win games they should win without fear of disappointment after a big win, even without Jameson Williams or Aidan Hutchinson. And this is one of those moments. The choice: Lions 31, Titans 21.

Carlos Monarrez

I just have no idea how the Lions are going to make up for Jameson Williams' one-catch, minus-1-yard performance, but I'm confident Ben Johnson can do it against one of the worst teams in the NFL, and one that just won much worse after receiver DeAndre Hopkins and linebacker Ernest Jones were substituted. The Titans at least have a good defense, but that won't be enough against the NFC's top team in their first home game in a month. The choice: Lions 36, Titans 9.

Shawn Windsor

Dan Campbell and his coaches believe this will be a tough test, that Tennessee is low-key competitive and has one of the best defenses in the NFL. The numbers, distorted by Buffalo's 34 points last week, suggest a solid defense. The problem is the offense and the strain it puts on the defense. Who wants to trudge back onto the field after another three-pointer?

Ignore Campbell's assessment of the Titans as a coach, if you will, but know that in this league, good defense and a few turnovers can all too easily make a game competitive heading into the fourth quarter. The Lions will be sharp enough to avoid the stress, even without Jameson Williams. The choice: Lions 27, Titans 16.

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Dave Birkett

Jeff Seidel

Carlos Monarrez

Shawn Windsor

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