‘Everybody loves Raymond’: Detroit Lions specialist shines in historic victory over Titans

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions unleashed a special player in their 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, which improved their record to 6-1 on the season.

The National Football League should give Swizz Army Knife Kalif Raymond the special teams player of the week award early because he had himself a day.

Raymond gained 190 total punt return yards on five attempts and a touchdown.

The touchdown was explosive, with the Lions up 35-14 at halftime, which was the most points scored in a half since Oct. 18, 1970, when they put up 38 against the Browns in Cleveland.

With the game already in hand, the Lions' defense forced the Titans' first three and out of the game to open the third quarter, forcing a punt.

Patiently surveying the field from the 10-yard line, Raymond set up his blockers and crossed the goal line in a blur, like an Olympic sprinter crossing the finish line with his arms spread and chest out.

The defense, which has been in the news lately after the Aidan Hutchinson injury, was a main figure helping Raymond reach the endzone. “You want to know what’s crazy,” said Raymond. “We were in ‘defense stays,’ so that was the defense blocking out there. It’s crazy, as its happened a couple of times out there over the last couple of years. The defense takes no plays off, and it was sparked by Khalil’s (Dorsey) kickoff return, so the special teams is fired up today.” Dorsey had a kick return for 72 yards, but the spotlight was on Raymond, whose explosive touchdown was the second of his eight-year career.

The newfound specialist on an already explosive team capped off a three-play 26-yard drive with a seven-yard catch to add to his historic day.

Raymond became the only player in franchise history to produce a receiving touchdown and a punt return score in the same game.

Raymond’s dynamics had head coach Dan Campbell reminiscing about the past.

“Leaf got a game ball, obviously. I told a story of Brad (Holmes) coming in my office in 2021 during early spring. We were fresh on the job and he said, ‘hey, take a peak at this guy from Tennessee. He’s really a returner and a gadget. You think we can make a place for him on offense?’

I watched about 10 plays and I was like, ‘yeah, absolutely there is. I‘ll take this guy in a heartbeat.’ And its been a blessing ever since. What a pro he is.

Guys love him. Coaches, players. Man you talk about reliable and he’s consistent and the way he prepares. The way he works. He does everything for us.

He can play all of the positions on offense. He’s a dynamic returner. That was good to see. It’s been a while since we got some big ones and he’s just the best.”

Dan Campbell

Look for Raymond and his red-hot Lions to stay in the flames as they’ll travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers inside Lambeau Field at 4:25 p.m.