DETROIT — During the Lions’ dominant 52-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, the crowd erupted with “JA-RED GOFF” chants despite the quarterback finishing with just 85 passing yards. After a drive that ended in a field goal, Goff took the rest of the game off, illustrating that individual performance wasn’t the focus; the team’s collective effort was more than enough.
That’s the ideal way to sum up what it’s like to play for the Detroit Lions these days: haymakers from everywhere. One of the weakest teams in the NFL is the Titans (1-6). Coach Dan Campbell and his team made an effort to give the Titans credit during the week. The Tennessee defense was mentioned as possibly the finest Detroit will face this season. The Lions’ rebuild a few years ago and their 1-6 start before they figured things out were compared. The key lesson is to make sure that no one on your calendar is overlooked.
Nickel corner Amik Robertson praised the unity of the Lions, stating, “This is the best team I’ve been a part of,” highlighting how the offense, defense, and special teams all contributed to the win. The Lions have evolved from underdogs to division favorites and now to Super Bowl contenders, a remarkable transformation over the past few seasons.
Despite being one of the NFL’s top offenses, the Lions struggled to rack up yardage against the Titans, gaining only 225 yards—significantly below their average. Even so, they managed to score 52 points, a testament to their efficiency and ability to capitalize on opportunities. Coach Dan Campbell and Goff acknowledged it wasn’t their best performance, yet the scoreboard told a different story.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan attributed the lopsided defeat to critical mistakes, including four turnovers and poor special teams play, which put his defense in difficult situations. The Lions capitalized on these errors, scoring touchdowns on every red-zone opportunity they had, showcasing their ability to dominate even when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
While the Titans amassed 416 yards of offense, they never felt truly threatening. The Lions’ defense, filled with playmakers, stepped up to force turnovers and disrupt plays. An interception by Trevor Nowaske set the tone early, leading to a quick touchdown. Overall, the Lions demonstrated their resilience and depth, ready to face any challenge that comes their way.
