Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans: 2020 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-20, the Tennessee Titans took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 46–25 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +16.55 total EPA, and +8.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.57 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+16.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (1:34) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 84-C.Davis for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Tannehill · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +24.57 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +16.55 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.29 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Davis · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +7.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Brown · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +6.15 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Smith · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +5.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Evans · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.65 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Henry · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +5.22 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Tennessee Titans — D. Henry (Q1 53:46)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 46:38)
• Tennessee Titans — C. Davis (R. Tannehill pass) (Q1 46:34)
• Tennessee Titans — R. Tannehill (Q2 39:38)
• Detroit Lions — D. Swift (Q2 31:06)
• Tennessee Titans — R. Tannehill (Q4 14:33)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Brown (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 9:04)
• Detroit Lions — D. Swift (Q4 6:27)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Evans (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 2:11)

Field goals

• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:03)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q3 19:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q1 53:46) — (8:46) (No Huddle) 22-D.Henry left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 53:40) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TEN 2 (Q1 46:38) — (1:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 11-M.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q1 46:34) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 75 (Q1 46:34) — (1:34) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 84-C.Davis for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 46:22) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The second quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–8. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 17 (Q2 39:38) — (9:38) 17-R.Tannehill left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 39:28) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the DET 95 (Q2 33:35) — (3:35) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked in End Zone for -5 yards, SAFETY (95-R.Okwara).; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TEN 2 (Q2 31:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TEN 35 (Q3 19:14) — (4:14) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox. Penalty on TEN-56-D.Bates, Defensive Offside, declined..

The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 22–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 14:33) — (14:33) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 14:30) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 22-D.Henry rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q4 9:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-A.Brown for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 9:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TEN 6 (Q4 6:27) — (6:27) (Shotgun) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q4 6:23) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 2:11) — (2:11) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 32-D.Evans for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 2:07) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Tennessee Titans (Q1 46:34) — (1:34) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 84-C.Davis for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.0% · EPA +5.64]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 24:29) — (9:29) 88-T.Hockenson right end to TEN 20 for 1 yard (51-D.Long). Tennessee challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 88-T.Hockenson right end to TEN 21 for no gain [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.99]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 17:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 86-A.Firkser to TEN 36 for 20 yards (21-T.Walker). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.03]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 46:38) — (1:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 11-M.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +2.02]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) 32-D.Swift up the middle to TEN 1 for no gain (90-D.Jones). FUMBLES (90-D.Jones), RECOVERED by TEN-53-W.Compton at TEN 3. 53-W.Compton to TEN 3 for no gain (72-H.Vaitai). [WPA -8.3% · EPA -5.50]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tennessee Titans (Q1 46:34) — (1:34) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 84-C.Davis for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.0% · EPA +5.64]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) 32-D.Swift up the middle to TEN 1 for no gain (90-D.Jones). FUMBLES (90-D.Jones), RECOVERED by TEN-53-W.Compton at TEN 3. 53-W.Compton to TEN 3 for no gain (72-H.Vaitai). [WPA -8.3% · EPA -5.50]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 24:29) — (9:29) 88-T.Hockenson right end to TEN 20 for 1 yard (51-D.Long). Tennessee challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 88-T.Hockenson right end to TEN 21 for no gain [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.99]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones to TEN 2 for 39 yards (21-M.Butler). [WPA +5.6% · EPA +3.33]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +8.8% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +16.55 total EPA
• R.Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) · 30 dropbacks · 70.0% completion · +15.4% CPOE · +0.82 EPA/play · +24.57 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Tennessee Titans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.41 vs +0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 9 drives, +11.36 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 10 drives, +34.30 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Tennessee Titans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• R. Tannehill (TEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 53:46 · DET 3 · Score 0-6
   (8:46) (No Huddle) 22-D.Henry left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 53:40 · DET 15 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 46:38 · TEN 2 · Score 6-7
   (1:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 11-M.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 46:34 · TEN 15 · Score 7-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
5. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 46:34 · DET 75 · Score 7-13
   (1:34) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 84-C.Davis for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 46:22 · DET 15 · Score 7-14
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.
7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 39:38 · DET 17 · Score 7-20
   (9:38) 17-R.Tannehill left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 39:28 · DET 15 · Score 7-21
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.
9. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q2 33:35 · DET 95 · Score 9-21
   (3:35) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill sacked in End Zone for -5 yards, SAFETY (95-R.Okwara).
10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 31:06 · TEN 2 · Score 15-21
    (1:06) (Shotgun) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DET 20 · Score 15-24
    (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.
12. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 19:14 · TEN 35 · Score 18-24
    (4:14) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox. Penalty on TEN-56-D.Bates, Defensive Offside, declined.
13. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 14:33 · DET 3 · Score 18-30
    (14:33) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Tennessee Titans Safety (+2) — Q4 14:30 · DET 2 · Score 18-32
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 22-D.Henry rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
15. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 9:04 · DET 2 · Score 18-38
    (9:04) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-A.Brown for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 9:00 · DET 15 · Score 18-39
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.
17. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 6:27 · TEN 6 · Score 24-39
    (6:27) (Shotgun) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 6:23 · TEN 15 · Score 25-39
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
19. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 2:11 · DET 3 · Score 25-45
    (2:11) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 32-D.Evans for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 2:07 · DET 15 · Score 25-46
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Overton, Holder-6-B.Kern.