Lions @ Titans
This game got off to a fast start, as both teams had double-digit play touchdown drives to open the game. On their second drive, the Titans took just one play for Corey Davis to go 75 yards for the score. The Lions responded with a punt, the Titans scored on a third straight drive, and Tennessee would lead the rest of the game. Detroit was able to generate a safety and a touchdown on the ensuing drive, but the Titans were able to tack on a field goal to end the first half. In the second half, the Titans were able to pull away and had the game in hand so much that Matthew Stafford was pulled from the game early. The Titans won 46-25.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 22/32, 252 yards, 1 TD | 2 carries, 12 yards
Chase Daniel: 5/6, 55 yards, 1 INT | 1 carry, 11 yards
After being doubtful to play for most of the week Matthew Stafford was able to tough it out and play today. He looked pretty good, especially considering he was playing through a lot of pain. He led several scoring drives and showed a strong connection with Marvin Jones. Outside of Jones, Stafford did not get a lot of help though, and in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, the Lions opted to pull him and avoid further injury. Chase Daniel came in and led a touchdown drive before ending the game with an interception. It seems like Stafford was just pulled as a precaution, but for fantasy, it is hard to trust him given the injuries and the fact that the Lions have nothing to play for.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift: 15 carries, 67 yards, 2 TDs, 1 fumble | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 15 yards
Adrian Peterson: 6 carries, 23 yards
Adrian Peterson got the first crack at the goal line work, but after he proved to be ineffective D’Andre Swift took over. Swift had mixed results around the goal line, cashing in two short touchdowns but also fumbling once when he tried to jump over the pile at the goal line. On the touchdown runs Swift looked good, showing some elusiveness to avoid tacklers in the backfield and decisiveness to find the hole and get into the endzone without spending too much time dancing in the backfield. If he can hold this role down it would be a nice boost to his fantasy outlook.
.@DAndreSwift runs it in for his second score of the game❗️#DETvsTEN | 📺 CBS | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/COxz9b9sPs
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 20, 2020
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marvin Jones: 12 targets, 10 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
Mohamed Sanu: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 38 yards
Danny Amendola: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 20 yards
Quintez Cephus: 3 targets, 1 reception, 36 yards
T.J. Hockenson: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards, 1 fumble
Hunter Bryant: 2 targets, 1 reception, 44 yards
Marvin Jones had himself a day, starting with a touchdown off of blown coverage and continuing with several strong contested catches.
Anyone Jones-ing for a Marvin TD?#FantasyFootball | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/vAjusIScmZ
— QB List (@TheQBlist) December 20, 2020
Jones was the clear top target as Kenny Golladay continued to miss time, and today he was able to turn those targets into production. T.J. Hockenson fumbled on a designed screen on a short third down and was not really involved in the offense outside of that play. Mohamed Sanu seems to have overtaken Danny Amendola as the primary slot option, but both were fairly involved relative to the rest of the offense. Hunter Bryant had the longest play of the game for the Lions, catching a deep ball and doing a little damage after the catch.
#NFL, meet Hunter Bryant#DETvsTEN | 📺 CBS | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/Yh2rCwyOu7
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 20, 2020
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill: 21/27, 273 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Sack | 3 carries, 21 yards, 2 TDs
Ryan Tannehill looked fantastic today and accounted for five total touchdowns. He threw an absolute dime to Corey Davis, hitting him in stride for what turned into a 75-yard touchdown. Tannehill also threw into tight windows, completing a beautiful throw up the seam to Jonnu Smith among other throws where he had to place the ball perfectly to succeed. And Tannehill even showed off some speed as a runner, running one in from 17 yards out and picking up a short-yardage touchdown on an option play. Overall, it was a great performance and it was really hard to find anything that Tannehill didn’t do well today. He did take a sack for a safety, but given that his offensive line allowed instant pressure it would be hard to blame him too much for that.
Best plays from @ryantannehill1's 5 TD game #DETvsTEN
📺: More coverage on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/yqExvIgrJm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 20, 2020
Running Backs
Derrick Henry: 24 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 5 yards
Darrynton Evans: 8 carries, 30 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards, 1 TD
Derrick Henry had a strong game but did not have a lot of touchdown luck, as Tannehill ran two in himself and added two touchdown passes from inside the five-yard line. Henry did his usual routine of running through contact and being difficult to stop once he got some speed going, and he also took a defender’s soul with this stiff arm:
Assault. @KingHenry_2
📺: Watch #DETvsTEN on CBS
pic.twitter.com/Kl5V0OGYTE— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 20, 2020
For good measure, here is a compilation of his highlights from today. Suffice to say that it was classic Derrick Henry running, but personally, I never get bored watching it.
Best runs from @KingHenry_2's 147-yard game #DETvsTEN
📺: More coverage on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/qwRuxRTqtm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 20, 2020
Darrynton Evans got to handle the last drive for the Titans after the game was well in hand, and he looked pretty impressive in his own right. He was fast, and he showed off some ability in the receiving game which could earn him a role going forward as Henry does not really offer much in that area of the offense.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Corey Davis: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD
A.J. Brown: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
Jonnu Smith: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 52 yards
Anthony Firkser: 1 target, 1 reception, 20 yards
MyCole Pruitt: 2 targets, 1 reception, 10 yards
https://twitter.com/TheQBlist/status/1340727014781796356
Corey Davis caught a ball in stride down the field, made the last defender miss, and ended up with a 75-yard touchdown. He looked the part of a star receiver today, and maybe he’s just a late bloomer and this is a sign of things to come. A.J. Brown was involved a lot early and scored a short touchdown late, but he was unable to break a big play. The touchdown prevented his day from being a total disaster for fantasy managers, but given the Titans got out to a comfortable lead they didn’t really need to throw the ball much. Jonnu Smith was the third prong of their passing attack and he made a really nice catch in traffic up the seam.
4️⃣ Ryan Tannehill TDs today.
The latest went to A. J. Brown.#FantasyFootball | #Titans pic.twitter.com/ZwtbWoRQ3k
— QB List (@TheQBlist) December 20, 2020
-Dan Adams (@dadams0323)