Titans @ Lions
Final Score: Lions 52, Titans 14
Writer: Riley Blum
It started as a close game with both teams tied 14-14 early in the second quarter. However, the Lions would take over and score 38 unanswered points. The Lions were dominant in every phase of the game, but the defense and special teams shined today. The Lions had multiple big returns – including a 90-yard punt return touchdown by Kalif Raymond – and forced four turnovers, which led to the Lions’ offense having to go less than 30 yards on five of their touchdown drives. This led to low yardage totals for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but it was good to see the Lions’ offense being efficient and capitalizing on great field position. There should be plenty of opportunities for their skill players in a divisional match-up with the Packers next week.
Three Up
- Sam LaPorta – It was clear the Lions made LaPorta a focus on offense this game, and he led the team in every receiving category. Whether it was because of National Tight End Day or missing Jameson Williams to suspension, it was encouraging to see this usage considering many drafted LaPorta as the TE1 this season.
- Jahmyr Gibbs – Gibbs led the Lions with 11 carries and totaled 133 yards from scrimmage. Gibbs did most of his damage on a 70-yard touchdown run. He now has back-to-back games with over 100 yards and at least one touchdown.
- Calvin Ridley – Ridley came into the game with 12 receptions on the year and nearly doubled his season total in this game, catching 10 balls on 15 targets for 143 yards. He seems to have some chemistry with quarterback Mason Rudolph and was a focal point on offense in the Titans’ first game since trading DeAndre Hopkins.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Mason Rudolph: 22/38, 266 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 4 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD
Mason Rudolph had a couple of costly turnovers throwing two interceptions, but there were some bright spots in his performance. Rudolph only took one sack and scored through the air and on the ground. He also connected with his pass catchers on a few well-thrown deep passes. He heavily targeted wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and it seems like Rudolph should help to keep at least a couple of players on this offense fantasy relevant.
Mason Rudolph runs it in himself for the Titans TD 😤pic.twitter.com/3gwBriapQs
— Titans Nation (@TitansNationCP) October 27, 2024
Missed Opportunities
- Rudolph slightly overthrew Jha’Quan Jackson who had a step on the defender. Had the pair connected on the deep pass, it could have went for a touchdown.
Running Back
Tony Pollard: 20 carries, 94 yards, 4 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
The Titans had to abandon the run for much of the game with the score out of hand, but they went back to it towards the end of the game which allowed Pollard to rack up some more yardage. Pollard ran well despite it being hard to find running room against the Lions’ defense. He looks to have the explosiveness back he was missing much of last season, and he should continue to be a focal point of this offense.
Missed Opportunities
- Pollard had two catches called back on penalties, which would have netted him another 34 receiving yards.
Julius Chestnut: 7 carries, 32 yards
Chestnut saw most of his opportunities come in garbage time.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Calvin Ridley: 15 targets, 10 receptions, 143 yards, 1 carry, 3 yards, FL
Ridley’s performance was great to see after an abysmal start to the season. He was targeted early and often in all areas of the field. He saw a whopping 15 targets, catching 10 for 143 yards. Ridley had some explosive plays with catches of 26 and 47 yards. The only negatives were that he was not able to score a touchdown (he was targeted in the end zone), and he lost a fumble though the game was all but decided at that point. Hopefully, Ridley continues to see this usage with DeAndre Hopkins now in Kansas City.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
Westbrook-Ikhine hauled in Mason Rudolph’s lone touchdown pass and extended his touchdown streak to three straight games.
Josh Whyle: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards
Chig Okonkwo: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards, FL
Jha’Quan Jackson: 1 target
Missed Opportunities
- Mason Rudolph barely missed Jackson on a deep ball that was a potential touchdown.
- Jackson scored a touchdown on a reverse play, but it was nullified by a holding penalty.
Tyler Boyd: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 14 yards
The slot receiver was second on the team in targets without DeAndre Hopkins, but the production was underwhelming. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Calvin Ridley are more likely to receive downfield targets.
Nick Varnett: 1 target
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: 12/15, 85 yards, 3 TD, 1 carry, 1 yard
Goff didn’t have to throw much in this game with the score getting out of hand. The underwhelming yardage total was due to his defense and special teams giving the offense a short field to work with on many possessions. Goff remained efficient, though, tossing as many touchdowns as incompletions.
Hendon Hooker: 2/3, 6 yards
Hooker took some snaps in mop-up duty with the Lions up by 38 points in the fourth quarter.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: 11 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
“Sonic” lived up to the nickname in this game, totaling 133 yards from scrimmage on just 12 touches. The highlight of Gibbs’ afternoon was a career-long 70-yard touchdown run where he went untouched to the house. Gibbs continued to be electric; he looked explosive and shifty every time he carried the ball. The touchdowns may not always be there sharing the backfield with David Montgomery, but the second-year back has scored in five of seven games this season. Gibbs has posted back-to-back big games, and he is seeing touches in the red zone. He should continue to be viewed as an RB1 for fantasy purposes.
JAHMYR GIBBS GOES 70 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 💨
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/E0kw4DLrx2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 27, 2024
David Montgomery: 9 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD, 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards, 1/1, 3 yards, 1 TD
“Knuckles” ran with a vengeance on his first two carries after losing a fumble last week, taking his second carry for a touchdown. Montgomery only saw seven more carries with the game getting out of hand. He did throw a beautiful touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta on a well-designed play. Montgomery seemed unbothered by his knee, and he has scored in all but one game this season. He’ll continue to be a valuable RB2 for fantasy seeing plenty of opportunities in the Lions’ potent rushing attack.
David Montgomery finds the endzone for his 7th TD of the season 😤
pic.twitter.com/NDT2AgREEb— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 27, 2024
David Montgomery throws a TD to Sam LaPorta!
📺: #TENvsDET on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HGuKPJbBTD— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Craig Reynolds: 3 carries, 3 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Sam LaPorta: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
LaPorta led the Lions across the board in all receiving categories. It was encouraging to see this usage as he has seemed like an afterthought in this offense for much of the season. It could be in part because of Jameson Williams’ absence or National Tight End Day, but it was good to see his increased involvement nonetheless. He should remain a strong start at TE against the Packers next week with Williams serving the second game of his suspension.
Missed Opportunities
- LaPorta nearly had a touchdown earlier in the game. It was originally ruled a touchdown on the field, but the review showed he was down just short of the goal line.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 7. yards, 1 TD
Statistically, it was a down game for St. Brown. However, that was due to the Lions often having great field position and blowing out the Titans. He at least salvaged his day with a touchdown reception on a play-action pass. He should remain the top target in the offense, and brighter fantasy days will be ahead.
Kalif Raymond: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1 TD
Raymond caught one of Jared Goff’s three touchdown passes in this game. He also returned five points for an eye-popping 190 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown return. Raymond is the only NFL player to have a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown in the same game. The speedster is worth a look next week with Jameson Williams out again.
leaf peeping tuddies 🍁🍂#TENvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/k1coZiJCmt
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024
https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-90-yard-td-everybody-loves-raymond-in-detroit-on-punt-return-score
Brock Wright: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards, 1 TD
Wright also had a touchdown grab on National Tight End Day.
Jared Goff finds Brock Wright for the TD 😤
National TE days continues 😁
— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) October 27, 2024
Isaiah Williams: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 6 yards
Allen Robinson: 1 target
Tim Patrick: 1 target
Patrick was targeted once deep on what should have been a free play for the Lions.