Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and David Montgomery was the first of five players to score in the first half for the Detroit Lions, who romped past the Tennessee Titans 52-14 on Sunday.
The NFC North-leading Lions (6-1) have the conference’s best record after winning five straight games, averaging more than 40 points over the last four.
Detroit had its highest scoring game since a 55-point performance against Chicago in 1997, scoring at least 50 points for just the fourth time in franchise history.
The Titans (1-6) were routed for the second straight week and have already indicated this is a rebuilding year with veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and starting linebacker Ernest Jones Jr.
Detroit has been doing a good job of leaning on Goff lately, but it had more points (42) than it had yards (28) early in the third quarter. He finished 12 of 15 for 85 yards.
The Lions didn’t need Goff very productively as they made big plays in every phase and ran a trick play like they do in most games – this time a touchdown pass from running back Montgomery, who took a throw from Goff and found Sam LaPorta the Lions took a 35-14 lead from three yards out and their highest scoring half since 1970.
Jahmyr Gibbs had a 70-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Khalil Dorsey had a 72-yard kickoff return to set up Goff’s 8-yard TD pass to Brock Wright early in the second.
Kalif Raymond’s 90-yard kickoff early in the third put Detroit ahead 42-14.
Mason Rudolph made an ill-advised pass on Tennessee’s first drive, while defensive end Levi Onwuzurike hit him, and linebacker Trevor Nowaske intercepted the ball.
The Titans extended their streak of throwing an interception in every game and Detroit took advantage by taking the lead on Montgomery’s 7-yard touchdown run. Rudolph later floated a pass that Kerby Joseph picked off, setting up Goff’s 1-yard TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Goff was shut down early in the fourth quarter with a 38-point lead to give second-year pro Hendon Hooker some experience. Gibbs had a season-high 127 yards rushing and a score during the longest run of his career.
Rudolph helped receiver Calvin Ridley have his most productive game of the season, rushing for his first touchdown, an 11-yarder that fooled Detroit’s defense and tied the game late in the first quarter.
Rudolph, starting for the injured Will Levis, finished 22 of 38 for 266 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine early in the second quarter and two interceptions. Ridley tied a career high with 10 receptions for a season-high 143 yards. Tony Pollard ran for a season-high 95 yards on 20 carries.
Injuries
Titans quarterback Levis (shoulder) missed a second straight week and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) was also inactive.
Lions linebacker Malcom Rodriguez (ankle) was ruled out in the first half. DE Josh Paschal (illness) was inactive.
Next
Lions: Next Sunday at Green Bay.
