It was more competitive than expected early, but the Detroit Lions ultimately took care of business with a 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. It wasn't prolific in every facet of the game, but where it wasn't (or didn't have to be) proficient it was efficient in the dismissal of a clearly inferior team.
There was far more good than bad for the Lions on Sunday, obviously. So let's get right to it with winners and losers for Week 8.
5 winners, 2 losers for Lions in Week 8 vs. Titans
Winner: WR Kalif Raymond
There's no better place to start the winners column than here. Raymond was explosive as a punt returner on Sunday (190 yards on five returns), highlighted by a 90-yard touchdown. He followed that with an 11-yard touchdown reception.
Winner: RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Winner: RB David Montgomery
The best running back tandem in the NFL showed out again on Sunday.
Gibbs had a 70-yard touchdown run, reaching the second-fastest speed for a ball carrier in the NFL this season (22.03 MPH, according to Next Gen Stats). At that moment in the game, after the Titans had tied at 14, the Lions needed a momentum-shifting play and they got it from Gibbs. Take away that run, and he averaged 5.7 yards per carry on his other 10 totes.
Montgomery feels like the only player you could place a "first touchdown scorer" bet on and feel confident you'll win. He did it again on Sunday, opening the scoring after linebacker Trevor Nowaske's interception. Montgomery was a high school quarterback, and he put that skill on display too.
Loser: LT Taylor Decker
Decker is not having the kind of season we've become accustomed to him having. Potential Lions trade target Arden Key beat him for two sacks early in Sunday's game, as the Lions' left tackle also allowed two pressures and a hurry in the game.
Entering Week 8, Decker's overall Pro Football Focus grade (68.1) is the lowest since his rookie season and his pass blocking grade (69.1) was the lowest of his career. Both of those numbers are set to erode further after his performance on Sunday. It's worth wondering if he's hiding an injury.
Winner: TE Sam LaPorta
The Lions' passing game wasn't tasked with doing much against the Titans, but the bright spot was clearly LaPorta setting his season-high with six catches as he caught a touchdown for the second time in the last three games.
We may look back on this game, and next week against the Green Bay Packers when wide receiver Jameson Williams serves his two-game suspension, as the turning point in LaPorta's 2024 season.
Loser: Pass coverage, in general
It was bad early and got better as the game went on, as Titans' wide receiver Calvin Ridley topped 100 yards in the first quarter, but the Lions' pass defense was leaky to the tune of Titans' backup Mason Rudolph throwing for 266 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the game. Facing such a bad offense, a better quarterback would have made the Lions' secondary pay more than it did on Sunday.
Winner: CB Amik Robertson
Robertson was beaten for a deep ball early by the aforementioned Ridley, but it also looked like it wasn't his fault as safety Kerby Joseph was late with expected deep help on the play amid his rough start to game. In any case, Robertson redeemed himself with not one but two forced fumbles in the game. He continues to play well, looking like a great offseason addition.
