NFL Predictions: Week 2 Picks and Hot Takes From Across the League

Tennessee Titans vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS

The word that comes to mind with this game is “unique”. Not bad, not unwatchable, just unique. Perhaps that’s a nice way to proclaim a game isn’t the best on the NFL’s second week slate of matchups, but there are compelling storylines to this cross-conference clash.

It starts with the Tennessee offense, which has no choice but to be better than they were against Minnesota last Sunday. DeMarco Murray rushed the ball just 13 times for 42 yards, not nearly enough touches for a guy who has shown flashes of being one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. Sure, consistency is a concern with Murray, but Tennessee must step up the rushing attack, trust youth on the right side of the line (Chance Warmack and Jack Conklin) and attempt to establish the run game early. Against Detroit, they’ll get a nice opportunity to throw a tough test at their starting offensive line in an attempt to build momentum moving forward.

While Tennessee’s offense has to find traction in the run game, the defensive front must find a way to repeat last week’s performance, one in which they limited Adrian Peterson to a mere 31 yards on 19 carries – fewer defensive performances might be more impressive this season than that one. The Lions don’t boast a dynamic rushing threat, and the receiving corps can be shut down with tight coverage against Matthew Stafford. This game is winnable for Tennessee; it’ll take an old-school approach to capture the ‘W’.

Detroit’s plan should be fairly simple: improve the secondary play while continuing to take shots against the opposing defensive backfield. Stafford will throw the ball upwards of 35-40 times yet again – the key here for the Lions surrounds around splash plays. If they win in that department, there’s a real chance to improve to 2-0.

Titans prove to be the sturdier team in unique game against Detroit, win 24-19.

Next: Ravens/Browns