Lions grades: Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry enjoy stat-stuffing day on Detroit’s defense
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
See below for our grades from Detroit’s loss:
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford played through an injury to his rib cartilage and throwing hand’s thumb and still managed to look good doing it. Detroit’s offense failed its quarterback in three key spots on Sunday a fumble at the goal line, a fumble on third-and-2 and a punt from Tennessee’s 43-yard line. Detroit’s defense failed Stafford more than three times, for what it’s worth.
Stafford completed 22 of 32 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown throw to Marvin Jones was an absolute rope sent through a sea of Titans defenders over the middle. Stafford dinked and dunked early but opened things up as the game progressed. He dialed up a perfect 44-yard throw to undrafted rookie tight end Hunter Bryant and even ran twice for 12 yards. Stafford ended up averaging 7.3 completed air yards per throw,
Quarterback Matthew Stafford s return not enough to keep Detroit Lions playoff hopes alive | News, Sports, Jobs
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Aching Stafford starts but can t make up for Lions miscues
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Lions QB Matthew Stafford will play through torn cartilage in ribs, torn ligament in throwing hand
Updated Dec 20, 2020;
Posted Dec 20, 2020
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford walks on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)AP
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. Matthew Stafford is one of the great iron men to ever play the quarterback position in the NFL. On Sunday, he will add another feat of toughness to his already impressive resume.
Stafford will start on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, despite tearing the cartilage in the left side of his ribs just one week ago. He was in so much pain that his body was spasming and locking up, forcing him to the bench for the offense’s final series against Green Bay. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday either, but the pain subsided enough for him to make a limited return to practice on Friday.
Tannehill has five TDs, Titans rout Lions
Tennessee is clicking on offence at a rate unseen in franchise history chasing the franchise s first AFC South title since 2008. Ryan Tannehill accounted for a career-high five touchdowns passing and running, and Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and a score to move the Titans closer to clinching their third playoff berth in four seasons Sunday routing the Detroit Lions 46-25.
The Canadian Press Ryan Tannehill , The Canadian Press
NASHVILLE Tennessee is clicking on offence at a rate unseen in franchise history chasing the franchise s first AFC South title since 2008.
The Titans also think they can get better.