The Tennessee Titans may catch a big break Sunday as they push for their first AFC South Division title since 2008 as the visiting Detroit Lions more likely than not will be without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford due to a ribs injury. The Titans opened as 8.5-point favorites on the NFL odds at William Hill Sportsbook but that number surely will rise (it's higher at some other books) if Stafford is ruled out and journeyman backup Chase Daniel gets the call.
Stafford was hurt on a hit by Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark as he slid in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 31-24 loss. The former No. 1 overall pick stayed in for one more play but then left and was clearly in pain on the sideline. Interim coach Darrell Bevell said a decision will be made later this week, but the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported Stafford is in doubt.
The various Detroit media is wondering whether Stafford has played his final game in a Lions uniform with this injury (why even risk putting him back out there?). There could be wholesale changes with the Motor City Kitties looking at a third straight losing season and already having fired Coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. Stafford has played much better since Patricia was replaced by Bevell and ranks seventh in the league overall with 3,522 yards passing.
A new GM/coach may want to start over at quarterback, and Stafford would have solid trade value. He could be the final piece for a 2021 contending team that needs an upgrade at that position. Like the San Francisco 49ers, for example. Stafford owns a house in California, and he and his wife put their Detroit-area house on the market earlier this year.
As for Daniel, he was 3-for-6 for 29 yards in relief of Stafford on Sunday and last started an NFL game Week 5 of last season for the Chicago Bears. Daniel has been in the league since 2010 and made many millions of dollars but has just five starts (with Chiefs and Bears), going 2-3.
In games that Daniel has attempted at least 10 passes, his teams are 4-3 against the spread. That includes a 34-20 loss at Minnesota in Week 9 when Stafford left early in the fourth with a possible concussion. Daniel was 8-for-13 for 94 yards with a TD and pick in relief.
Detroit is again expected to be without 2019 Pro Bowl receiver Kenny Golladay as he deals with a hip injury and has been limited to five games all season with various injuries. That this is a 1 p.m. ET start doesn't bode well for the Lions, either, as they are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games in the early afternoon. Detroit also has failed to cover its past four vs. the Titans, but the teams only play once every four years.
So which teams should you back in Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season? And which Super Bowl contender goes down HARD? ... Join SportsLine right now to see who wins and covers every single NFL game this week, plus get the exact final score, all from the acclaimed model that has returned over $7,800 on its top-rated NFL picks!
