Lions' Week 15 Defensive Grades: No Answer for Derrick Henry

Read more on how the Detroit Lions' defense fared against the Tennessee Titans

The Detroit Lions' plan on defense was to try and limit the productivity of star running back Derrick Henry. 

Unfortunately, Henry was able to carve up Detroit's defense, and even posterized cornerback Alex Myres when he levied a ferocious stiff-arm to the recently called up defensive back. 

Ryan Tannehill finished with a passer rating of 145.8, as he was able to account for five touchdowns against Detroit's porous defense. 

Here are the grades for the Lions' defense after the team's Week 15 contest with Tennessee. 

Defensive line: D-

Romeo Okwara contributed the only meaningful play against Tannehill on Sunday afternoon, as Detroit's emerging defensive end was able to leap past a block to sack Tannehill in the end zone for a safety. 

The defense's attempts to limit Henry were simply ineffective, as he finished with 147 yards and a touchdown. 

Linebackers: F

Jahlani Tavai made a critical error on a key third down-and-long play, in which he did not appear to get to his proper position on the field in zone coverage, leaving a wide-open portion in the middle of the field. 

There simply weren't any impactful plays of note from this unit all afternoon. 

Needless to say, Titans receiver A.J. Brown was able to easily beat Jarrad Davis in coverage for a touchdown reception. 

Secondary: F

If Duron Harmon's play of late is what Matt Patricia felt resembled his vision on defense, it is clear why he is no longer coaching the team. 

Harmon's coverage of Corey Davis on a 75-yard touchdown reception was subpar, and then Davis made Harmon look ridiculous, in Harmon's efforts to tackle Davis prior to him reaching the end zone. 

The Lions only broke up a handful of plays, and allowed Tannehill to pick apart the secondary all afternoon. 

The combination of Alex Myres, Amani Oruwariye, Mike Ford and Justin Coleman might not want to watch film of the game ever again. 

Oh, did we mention that stiff-arm on Myres!

Special teams: B-

Interesting that it is now known special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs called the fake punt on his own. As a result, he got himself fired Monday morning.

With approximately 12 minutes remaining in Sunday’s contest, Coombs dialed up a fake punt without telling interim head coach Darrell Bevell.

Matt Prater missed an extra-point try, but later successfully kicked a field goal from 53 yards out.  

Prater is 20-of-27 on field-goal attempts, but is perfect from distances of less than 40 yards. 

Additionally, Jamal Agnew averaged 29 yards on four kick return attempts on the afternoon. 

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