Sunday, December 20, 2020, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET
Lions at Titans Betting Preview: Lions (+11/-106), Titans (-11/-114)
Detroit Lions
Give interim coach Darrell Bevell credit for this much: He’s had the Lions playing hard, which is more than Matt Patricia could do near the end. Detroit rallied to beat Chicago in Bevell’s debut, then made Green Bay work 60 minutes for a 31-24 win last week.
None of that is going to help the 5-8 Lions make the playoffs, which makes this no different from most other seasons since, well, Bobby Layne was under center in the 1950s. But at least they’re giving the substitute teacher their full attention, so that’s at least a start.
The task this week was going to be tough in any event, with the No. 29 defense trying to stop Derrick Henry and a top-five offense. But an offense that is capable of scoring points against a mediocre defense might have to go without Matthew Stafford (ribs) or center Frank Ragnow (throat) this week in Nashville.
Tennessee Titans
The schedule last week said Jacksonville, not bye. But with the exception of the Jets, playing Jacksonville is the NFL’s closest thing to a week off, and the Titans feasted on a bad defense while improving on defense in a 31-10 rout.
Henry rolled up 215 yards and now has an outside chance of reaching 2,000 for the year, as he needs 468 in the last three games. Detroit’s defense hasn’t been confused lately with the Steel Curtain, so this could be another big game.
Tennessee’s defense needs to step up again as it did last week. Its pitiful pass rush, last in the league with 14 sacks, could get a boost if Ragnow’s fractured throat prevents him from playing. It at least stiffened up against the run in Jacksonville, holding outstanding rookie back James Robinson in check while the game was still in doubt.
Lions at Titans Betting Pick for Week 15
Different week, same task for Tennessee. Don’t let a losing team gain confidence with a fast start and let them think they can win. If the Titans are ready to play and execute well offensively, Detroit isn’t going to stop them from piling on the points.
The trick for Tennessee is to at least be competent defensively, like it was last week. The Lions have gotten a bounce from Patricia’s firing, but their weaknesses on defense are too crippling against an offense as varied and potent as the Titans’.
Lions at Titans Betting Pick:
Titans 34, Lions 24.
Lions at Titans Best Bet for Week 15
Think over for this one. Ten of Tennessee’s last 13 home games have gone over the number and nine of its last 12 games this year have ended above the number. The total has also climbed over the number in five of Detroit’s last seven games. If you absolutely need any more convincing, try these set of numbers out: The Lions are allowing 29.9 points and the Titans 25.8. So hammer the over and add numbers to your checking account.
Lions at Titans Best Bet: OVER 51.5 total points (-110)
