The Lions dominated the Titans, and there was a lot of both good and bad to take away. What was your biggest takeaway from Sunday’s win?
The Detroit Lions manhandled the Tennessee Titans to the tune of a 52-14 final score on Sunday, tying their victory over the Cowboys for the largest margin of victory this season at 38 points. There was a lot to take away from the victory, as the Lions special teams came to life, the defense fell asleep at the wheel for the first half, and the offense hummed along with a few bumps in the road. What was your biggest takeaway?
Question of the day: What was your biggest takeaway from the Lions’ win over the Titans?
I think there are a few here. The defense definitely needs pass rush help, but you know that already. Jack Fox is elite, but you also know that already—at least, I hope so. Jahmyr Gibbs is fast. I mean, we knew he’s fast, but his 70-yard touchdown run down the sideline just looked like a man amongst boys. It might have been the first time we’ve truly gotten to see his 4.36 40-yard dash speed in action. In my eyes, above all, there was one takeaway that stood out.
My answer: The Lions need to be worried about their pass protection. Taylor Decker has not had his best season, and this rough patch of two games and counting against the two best front sevens the Lions have played this season is not encouraging. Graham Glasgow struggled the last two weeks as well, but rebounded more so than Decker in Week 8. If Frank Ragnow were to miss time again, I’d worry about the interior of that offensive line.
I’d love to write it off as a fluke, too, but that’s the one area the Lions really haven’t been tested in until recently. The Rams, and Cardinals didn’t have very intimidating pass rush units, while the Seahawks and Cowboys were each missing several of their best players when they played the Lions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a solid unit, but managed to hit Jared Goff 10 times in Week 2. In their biggest tests yet, the Lions have given up eight sacks in the last two weeks.
That doesn’t bode well down the stretch. The Lions play the Packers next, and the last time Packers EDGE Rashan Gary played Detroit, he walked away with three sacks. The Lions need to find a way to patch things up before Sunday, or this offense might not be running as smoothly as we’re used to. They may be able to get away with it week over week against a regular season playing field, but that’s gonna be hard to get away with once we’re talking about the playoffs.
What was your biggest takeaway from the Lions’ win over the Titans? Let us know in the comments below.