Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 21, 2012 (edited) The Tennessee Titans have stumbled through a miserable start but are hoping to end that by continuing a trend. The Titans have experienced a bevy of success in recent years against NFC foes, especially at home, but Sunday's game is against a Detroit Lions team that's eager to redeem itself following a missed opportunity. After going 9-7 in coach Mike Munchak's inaugural season, Tennessee was hoping for an even better finish in 2012. The Titans don't appear poised to achieve that goal, as they've been outscored 72-23 through their first two games. They are 31st in the league with 248.0 offensive yards per game and their 25 first downs are the fewest. Chris Johnson gained only 17 yards on eight carries during last week's 38-10 drubbing in San Diego, and Jake Locker completed only half of his 30 passes. That performance was actually an improvement from the season opener for Johnson, who topped 2,000 yards in 2009. The three-time Pro Bowler had a career-low four yards on 11 attempts against New England. Tennessee (0-2) is off to its worst start since dropping six in a row to open the 2009 season. The Titans responded by winning eight of their final 10 that year. "We're starting off not playing the way we thought we would so does that mean we panic? No definitely not," Munchak said. "We have too much work ahead of us. There's too much football to be played yet." Munchak's team will try to get on track by improving on the franchise's 19-5 record against NFC foes over the past six seasons. Only New England's 22-3 mark is better among AFC teams. Tennessee has also prevailed in nine of its last 11 home matchups against opponents from the other conference but will face a team that's won five in a row over AFC clubs. Led by former Titans assistant Jim Schwartz, the Lions (1-1) are coming off their first trip to the playoffs in 12 seasons but haven't been at their best so far this year. Detroit needed a last-minute touchdown to win its season opener against St. Louis on Sept. 9 and fell 27-19 at San Francisco this past Sunday. The Lions drove inside the 49ers' 25-yard line six times but scored only one TD and went 4 of 5 on field goals. "We didn't play our best game really in any phases," quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "I'm proud of our guys for fighting and staying in there, but we've got to put some effort into coming out and trying to play a little bit better." Stafford, who had 5,038 yards and 41 TDs a year ago, has four interceptions and two touchdowns through the first two games, but the Lions' biggest concern might be their short-handed secondary. Detroit claimed cornerback Jerome Murphy off waivers from New Orleans on Wednesday after Drayton Florence suffered a broken arm in last week's loss. Chris Houston (ankle), Louis Delmas (knee) and Bill Bentley (concussion) sat out against San Francisco, but Houston and Bentley returned to practice this week. The Lions could get another boost with running back Mikel Leshoure expected to make his long-awaited NFL debut. The 2011 second-round draft pick was suspended for the first two games this season after running afoul of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Leshoure missed all of last season after injuring his Achilles in training camp. "We've been waiting to see him for a long time," Schwartz said. "He was showing us all things we needed before his rookie year when he got hurt." The Titans might not have defensive captain Colin McCarthy to help them earn a fourth straight win over Detroit. The middle linebacker has an injured right ankle and was in a walking boot during the loss in San Diego. Detroit was routed 47-10 during the most recent matchup with Tennessee on Nov. 27, 2008, at Ford Field. Johnson had 125 yards and two touchdowns in that game. The Lions fell 24-19 during their only other visit to Nashville on Jan. 2, 2005. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited September 25, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted September 21, 2012 I'm going with the upset here and taking the Titans as they win their 1st game of the year. I really haven't been impressed with the Lions at all so far and Megatron is still banged up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barracuda 629 Posted September 21, 2012 Titans still struggle. Lions do enough to get the W. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.AirMcNair. 1,232 Posted September 21, 2012 I just hope we come out and play like we give a shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Its a game I see us losing. We got a lot of guys coming back from injuries and are probably rusty. And Stafford is playing like shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 23, 2012 Titans declared RB Javon Ringer, MLB Colin McCarthy, OLs Mike Otto and Deuce Lutui, WR Lavelle Hawkins, and S Al Afalava inactive for Week 3 against the Lions. Ringer is still out with his elbow infection even after putting in a full week of practice. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 against the Patriots. Jordan Babineaux is starting at free safety over Robert Johnson on Sunday, too. Lions running back Mikel Leshoure will get the start for the Lions on Sunday against the Titans in his NFL debut. Leshoure starts over Kevin Smith and is expected to see close to 15 touches. Detroit's inactives for Week 3 are FS Louis Delmas (knee), TE Tony Scheffler (calf), DE Lawrence Jackson, OLs Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard, and LB Travis Lewis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted September 23, 2012 That punt return by the Titans was AWESOME! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 That punt return by the Titans was AWESOME! no kidding, shades of the MCM in the play design, but I love the throw to one of the gunners Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Yo we fuckin suck. Like.... its pretty bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Leshoure is making me happy though. Lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 23, 2012 Damn, didn't expect this so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 we almost matched our total score from the first two games in the first half Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted September 23, 2012 Jared Cook actually did something finally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 Jared Cook actually did something finally. he's shown flashes in the past, I'm still waiting for some consistency Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 23, 2012 Jared Cook actually did something finally. Jared Cook actually had an okay year last and showed promise for this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 first time Bironas has missed two fgs in the same game since he went 1/3 week 1 of 2009 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Im gonna cry if we don't win this with all these opportunities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Havinf Houston and Leshoure has been HUGE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 Havinf Houston and Leshoure has been HUGE. yeah, seems like we've done nothing to stop Leshoure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 23, 2012 Who is Leshoure's running style like 'cause I have no clue how he runs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 23, 2012 there was a lot of talk before the season about moving Verner inside some, I think we need to try that because what we're doing now on the inside is not working at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 yeah, seems like we've done nothing to stop Leshoure I think it'd be a different story if they weren't playing so safe in the back end. Our special teams FTL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 23, 2012 Who is Leshoure's running style like 'cause I have no clue how he runs. He's a down hill guy. He keeps falling forward and breaking tackles. Keeps getting close to breaking a big run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
