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Post by D6 on Dec 17, 2020 20:17:23 GMT -5
NFL Week 15 2020 picks
Lions (+10.5) at Titans
MDS’s take: The Lions are playing harder for interim head coach Darrell Bevell, but the Titans are just too good for them. Look for Derrick Henry to rush for well over 100 yards as the Titans take an early lead and grind it out.
MDS’s pick: Titans 21, Lions 16.
Florio’s take: Can Derrick Henry catch Eric Dickerson? The Lions won’t do much to slow Henry down; don’t be surprised if he comes close to another 200-yard day.
Florio’s pick: Titans 31, Lions 10.
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The availability and effectiveness of Matthew Stafford and Frank Ragnow probably will go along way in whether the Lions can even keep this game close.
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Post by frenchylions on Dec 18, 2020 4:18:09 GMT -5
The Lions rushing defense, allowing 133 yards per game (29th NFL) will have a hard time containing Derrick Henry.
If the Lions offense doesn't show up and has too many 3 & outs, the Lions defense could be in for a long, long day !
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Post by D6 on Dec 18, 2020 12:56:25 GMT -5
It's near certain that the Lions Offense is going to have to help out the Lions Defense in putting plenty of points on the board and sustaining long drives. Whether the Lions are capable of this likely comes down to the availability and health of Matthew Stafford and Frank Ragnow.
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Post by D6 on Dec 18, 2020 14:42:01 GMT -5
Titans' causes for concern vs. Lions in Week 15
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If the Titans are going to be a serious Super Bowl contender, this is a game they need to win comfortably. If the Lions are close enough in the 4th QTR that the running game remains a viable option, the Titans have plenty to be concerned about. Not just in this game.
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Post by D6 on Dec 18, 2020 15:35:01 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Dec 18, 2020 15:47:45 GMT -5
Behind enemy lines for Titans' Week 15 matchup vs. Lions
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I have a great amount of respect for Jeff Risdon's Lions and overall football insight. To Risdon's credit, unfortunately his draft assessment of Will Harris from 2018 has proven correct.
One thing I continue to disagree with Risdon on is he rates Amani Oruwariye as a run Defender ( and tackler ) noticeably higher than I do. The improvements by Oruwariye in these facets of play are still not close to the levels I believe they need to be at.
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Post by frenchylions on Dec 19, 2020 5:32:56 GMT -5
Apparently, Jeff Risdon is not a close observer of the Detroit Lions.
Quintez Cephus is still very inconsistent and under-targeted.
Although Oruwariye is not a tackling machine, he is not THAT bad either. He has 35 tackles solo.
Unfortunately for him, his last 2 games have been awful.
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 19:57:23 GMT -5
Frenchy, I agree with what you expressed regarding Quintez Cephus. Yet, I also agree with Jeff Risdon in that Cephus has shown some potential. Cephus is the only Lions WR on the 53 man roster under contract for the 2021 season. Beginning at Tennessee, I hope he gets a higher % of opportunites on Offense.
I'm not expecting Amani Oruwariye to be the 2nd coming of former Bills and Vikings CB Antone Winfield Sr. when it comes tackling and run support. But even with the improvement he's made in these facets of play ( though like you mentioned, he's regressed of late ) , I feel the Lions need him to make another jump forward.
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 20:24:50 GMT -5
Detroit News predictions: Lions at Titans
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As productive and effective as Derrick Henry is, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is the all around RB who I believe is the most differential and dynamic RB. If Cook was more durable, he would be the clear # 1 RB in the NFL.
The Lions run Defense was good vs. the Packers this past Sunday until the Packers 2nd drive in the 3rd QTR. The Lions Defense inability to get off the field on the Packers first drive of the QTR, combined with the Lions going 3 and out when finally getting the ball, took it's toll on the Lions run Defense.
With Da'Shawn Hand being placed on IR, coupled with Trey Flowers and Everson Griffen not available again ( not to mention Jeff Okudah being out since the 4th QTR of the Panthers game and Danny Sheldon also on IR ), there's no question containing Derrick Henry will very difficult. The Lions Offense needs to play complimentary football to give the Lions Defense a realistic chance from preventing Henry to take over the game.
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 21:03:13 GMT -5
Detroit News scouting report: Lions at Titans
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Derrick Henry has been held to 84 yards or less in 5 of the Titans 13 games this season.
The undermanned Lions Defense has quite a challenge to keep Henry even close to 100 yards, let alone noticeably less rushing yardage. But there are Defenses capable of keeping Henry in check.
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 22:53:28 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 23:13:59 GMT -5
Lions vs. Titans: Staff picks and final score predictions for Week 15
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If Matthew Stafford starts and gets through this game, I think the game is going to be closer than what most are predicting. The highly explosive and versatile RBs cause the Lions more problems than the bigger / less versatile RBs. Also, the Titans Defense is ordinary. I'm more concerned about the Lions injury / availability situation than the Titans.
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Post by D6 on Dec 19, 2020 23:26:57 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Dec 20, 2020 3:46:43 GMT -5
Lions vs. Titans: Biggest pregame storylines ahead of Week 15
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Rust could realistically be a factor with Kristian Fulton and Adoree' Jackson ( if he plays ). The long time frame of Fulton being out could also prove significant because he's a rookie. If Matthew Stafford plays, I hope he challenges Fulton and Jackson ( if he plays ) early.
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Post by D6 on Dec 20, 2020 3:58:58 GMT -5
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