Lions at Titans -- Week 3
Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Lions by 4
Forecast: Temperatures in the low 70s with a slight chance of rain.
Records: Titans (Overall: 0-2, AFC South: 0-0); Lions (Overall: 1-1, NFC North: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 27, 2008: Titans 47, Lions 10; Jan. 2, 2005: Titans 24, Lions 19. Series record: Titans lead 7-3.
What matters: Both teams will look to rebound from losses last week. For the Titans, coach Mike Munchak is doing his best to keep his players calm after a lopsided 38-10 defeat at San Diego. Through two weeks, the Titans minus-49 point differential is worst in the NFL. It will be tough for Tennessee to make the playoffs with a third straight loss. The Titans have opened 0-3 three times since the franchise moved to Tennessee and failed to qualify for the postseason each time.
Who matters: RB Chris Johnson. Far removed from his 2,006-yard season in 2009, Johnson has just 21 yards on 19 carries. The All-Pro vented his frustrations after the loss to the Chargers but said this week that he’s working hard with his offensive line to produce better results. While Johnson said there have been few creases in the line for him, he doesn’t think he’s danced too often or has been hesitant to run downhill. Led by first-round picks Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, Detroit is physical up the middle. The Lions rank 17th in the league against the run (112.5 yards per game) but allowed 148 yards on the ground last week at San Francisco. The 49ers capitalized on “wham plays” by using their tight ends on traps in a power-blocking scheme. The Titans have one of the top blocking tight ends in the league in Craig Stevens, but they depend more on a zone-blocking system.
Key matchups: Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs. CBs Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner. WR Kenny Britt vs. Lions CB Chris Houston. The team with more explosive plays on intermediate and deep routes has a good chance of winning. Tennessee has allowed 15 receptions of 15 yards or more this season. Britt avoided certain routes that involved a great deal of cutting last week to limit stress on his surgically repaired knees. The fourth-year receiver returned to the lineup for the first time since tearing two ligaments in his right knee last September. After catching just one pass for five yards vs. the Chargers, expect Britt to assume a greater role in the offense.
Injuries of note: LB Colin McCarthy (ankle) had his right foot removed from a walking boot on Monday, but he will be out for the second straight week. RB Javon Ringer (elbow) and DT Sen’Derrick Marks (knee) are expected to play for the first time this season. Johnson (foot) missed the Lions' first day of practice this week but returned on Thursday. Lions TE Tony Scheffler (calf) and S Louis Delmas (knee) missed all three days of practice this week and are not expected to play, according to the Detroit Free-Press. The Lions could be thin in the secondary even with the return of Houston (ankle).
Inside stuff: Though Britt received 19 snaps at San Diego, he nearly doubled the total with 34 in Thursday’s practice. Britt said he had “a little pep in his step” on go-routes downfield.
Connections: Lions coach Jim Schwartz spent 10 seasons as a Titans’ defensive assistant and served as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator from 2001-2008. When Detroit defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham coached the Titans linebackers for a three-year stretch (2001-2003), Tennessee ranked in the top five in rush defense in all three seasons. Lions DE Kyle Vanden Bosch was selected to the Pro Bowl three times in five seasons with the Titans (2005-2009). Detroit LB Stephen Tulloch finished second in the NFL in tackles in 2010 (169) while with the Titans.
Stat you should know: The Titans have struggled to gain positive rushing yards on nearly every run but have encountered trouble specifically on runs toward the right side. Tennessee has averaged minus-0.5 yards per carry on runs behind the right tackle (32nd) and 1.00 yards per rush on carries along the right end (29th), according to NFLGSIS.com.
Record watch: K Rob Bironas has made 18 straight field goals dating back to last season. If Bironas hits his next two, he will tie the franchise record for consecutive field goals made.
Looking ahead: With a road game next week at Houston, the Titans sorely need a victory at home against the Lions. The Titans will host the Steelers in a nationally televised Thursday Night Game in Week 6. If Munchak’s team can get to .500 after the matchup vs. Pittsburgh, the season may still be salvaged.
Prediction: Lions 31, Titans 27.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.