Rapid Rewind: Lions obliterate Titans behind takeaways, big returns and fourth 50-point game in franchise history
Detroit — Fueled by takeaways and big special teams plays, the Detroit Lions matched the second-most points scored in a game in franchise history, plastering the lowly Titans, 52-14, at Ford Field on Sunday.
The Lions (6-1) did all the damage in the first three quarters, allowing the team’s backups to get them across the finish line in the blowout victory.
The game started as a track meet, with the two sides trading scores into the first minute of the second quarter before the Lions pulled away with three unanswered touchdowns to end the half.
The Lions tacked on three more in the third frame, while the defense tightened up, forcing the Titans (1-6) into trio of three-and-outs and forcing a fumble — one of four takeaways on the day — on a fourth possession.
Game ball
Wide receiver Kalif Raymond set up one touchdown with a long punt return, brought another back for a 90-yard touchdown and found the end zone a second time on a 7-yard reception.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 10:31 — Taking over deep in Tennessee territory after a turnover, the Lions needed two plays to get into the end zone and open the scoring. David Montgomery received the handoff on both snaps, running with his trademark tackle-breaking style, even staying on his feet a few extra yards after his facemask was tugged on the first. The scoring romp was a 7-yard zone effort up the gut, running through the arms of defensive end Harold Landry. LIONS 7, TITANS 0
● 4:07 — A rough defensive series for the Lions as the Titans drive 75 yards in four plays, opening with a 33-yard toss to tight end Josh Whyle on a blown coverage out of play-action. Two snaps later, quarterback Mason Rudolph dropped one in the bucket to Calvin Ridley, who bested the man coverage of Brian Branch for 26 yards, before Rudolph ran it in on a 11-yard zone-read keeper, juking past the contain defender, linebacker Trevor Nowaske. LIONS 7, TITANS 7
● 3:57 — Detroit’s counterpunch was swift, one play to be exact. Running left, between tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow, and picking up a second-level block from guard Graham Glasgow, running back Jahmyr Gibbs blasted past safety Quandre Diggs and glided down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown. LIONS 14, TITANS 7
Second quarter
● 14:18 — Overcoming offensive pass interference and holding infractions, Ridley caught four passes for 79 yards, including a 47-yard bomb working against slot corner Amik Robertson. The Titans polished the drive off with a 5-yard scoring slant to receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. LIONS 14, TITANS 14
● 12:51 — The scoring pace remained frantic with the Lions only needing to drive 25 yards for a go-ahead touchdown after a 72-yard kickoff return by Khalil Dorsey. Further aided by pass interference and face mask penalties against the Titans on the same play, Goff delivered a quick strike to Brock Wright out of backfield motion for an 8-yard touchdown. LIONS 21, TITANS 14
● 11:37 — A little more than a minute later, after the defense got the ball back with an interception, the Lions were back in the end zone. A touchdown toss to Sam LaPorta was overturned, setting up first-and-goal at the 1, allowing Goff to hit an open Amon-Ra St. Brown out of play-action to cap the four-play drive. LIONS 28, TITANS 14
● 11:37 — Receiving another short field after a 64-yard punt return by Raymond, the Lions handed the ball to Gibbs and Montgomery seven consecutive times before the latter slowed up after taking a pitch from Goff and threw the ball to LaPorta for a 3-yard touchdown. LIONS 35, TITANS 14
Third quarter
● 12:46 — After Detroit’s defense forced a three-and-out to open the second half, Raymond fielded a punt at his own 10, made four Titans miss and raced down the sideline for a 90-yard score, the second punt he's housed in his career. LIONS 42, TITANS 14
● 6:12 — Taking over in Titans’ territory after a fumble recovery, the Lions needed three plays to hit pay dirt as Goff connected with Raymond in the right flat after a play fake to Gibbs for a 7-yard catch-and-run across the goal line. LIONS 49, TITANS 14
● 1:13 — A eight-play drive into Titans’ territory stalled, leading to a 51-yard Jake Bates field goal. LIONS 52, TITANS 14
Fourth quarter
● None
Turnovers
● On a second-and-10 snap during the Titans' first possession of the afternoon, Rudolph found his initial read well-covered. As he progressed to his next option, he was hurried by pressure from Levi Onwuzurike. The QB tried to check it down to tight end Nick Vannett, but Nowaske was there for the easy interception.
● After the Lions regained the lead in the second quarter, Rudolph looked downfield for tight end Chig Okonkwo out of play-action, only to have safety Kerby Joseph jump the route for his fifth interception of the season.
● On an end-around to Ridley midway through the third quarter, Robertson punched the ball free and the fumble was recovered by Carlton Davis III.
● With the Titans driving early in the fourth quarter, Robertson punched out a second one, this time from the hands of Okonkwo. Defensive end Isaiah Thomas recoverd the loose ball, ending the threat.
Key stats
● Goff didn’t need to do much in this one. He attempted just 15 passes, completing 12 for 85 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
● Fueled by his 70-yard touchdown romp, Gibbs paced Detroit's backs with 127 yards on 11 carries.
● Sam LaPorta led the Lions' pass-catchers with six grabs for 48 yards and a touchdown.
● The defenses only sack belonged to linebacker Alex Anzalone, who came through the line unblocked on a blitz.
Notable
● After a defensive pass interference call in the end zone, the Titans had it first-and-goal with 33 seconds remaining in the first half. But despite the favorable setup, the visitors couldn’t get it across the goal line with four tries as the Lions preserved a 21-point lead heading into the locker room.
● Detroit’s 35 points were the most the team has scored in the first half since 1970, when they put up 38 against the Browns. What’s wild is the offense only tallied 133 yards through two quarters.
● The Lions’ record for points in a game came in 1997, when the team hammered the Bears, 55-20. The other times the team scored 50 or more were in 1951 and 1952.
Injuries
● On the first punt of the game, Titans linebacker Otis Reese IV stumbled and collided hard with the back of Malcolm Rodriguez’s legs, knocking the Lions linebacker from the game with what was labeled an ankle injury.
Inactives
The Lions previously ruled out defensive end Josh Paschal with an illness after something came up on his post-cancer screening that needed to be addressed. Additionally, safety Loren Strickland, tight end Parker Hesse and offensive linemen Colby Sorsdal and Giovanni Manu were healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions head back on the road to play the Packers in Green Bay next Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
No Hutch, No Jaymo, no problem. All things considered, Detroit should have won this game with a blowout and they did. Even undermanned at times, the Lions can beat you in many ways.
he's going to substack?