NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett grades the Detroit Lions, after their 46-25 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium:
Quarterback
Give Matthew Stafford credit for not only gutting through a painful rib injury, but for giving the Lions a chance against one of the AFC’s best teams, at least for three quarters. Stafford made a couple of special throws, including a dime of a 44-yard pass to Hunter Bryant.
He was limited in his mobility, turning down at least one opportunity to run for a first down in the second quarter, but stood in the pocket and took several shots downfield before eventually giving way to Chase Daniel after two big hits in the fourth quarter.