Photo via Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs’ offense is hot, with Baker Mayfield (R) possibly having the best quarterback performance in the NFL last week and wide receiver Jalen McMillan (L) having a superb opening game in a Bucs uniform.
The Lions kicked their season off with a victory last Sunday evening against their former franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, the first time Stafford played in Detroit since being traded to L.A. in 2020.
Detroit has been just fine the past couple years. If you’ll remember, quarterback Jared Goff was part of the return in the Stafford deal, and he had a borderline MVP season last year. Plus, head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive nature, especially when it comes to fourth down decisions, has only paid off for Detroit.
While his willingness to go for it on fourth is his calling card, Campbell has done a great job of establishing a culture of excitement in a franchise that had been dormant for quite some time. Detroit's front office has also made wonderful moves to build up an offensive line and group of playmakers to support a QB perhaps limited in going off-schedule and making plays himself.
All of that to say, the Bucs will certainly have their work cut out for them against the Lions, especially with Tampa Bay's defense severely hampered by injuries. Cornerback Zyon McCollum and lineman Calijah Kancey are questionable for Sunday’s matchup, and star safety Antoine WInfield, Jr. is going to be out for at least a few weeks with a foot injury.
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A reunion of sorts has been brought about to address a season-ending injury to backup outside cornerback Bryce Hall, with the Bucs signing recently-waived Keenan Isaac to shore up their cornerback room.
But will it be enough to deal with the Lions and their explosive group of receivers? Does Tykee Smith have what it takes to step up and fill in for Winfield, Jr., or will the Bucs’ defense experience some serious drop off?
Those questions will be answered Sunday, as the Lions still have star slot wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and elite tight end Sam LaPorta running routes for Goff, plus Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery lined up in the backfield to potentially cause some disruption for this Bucs front-seven.
Luckily, the Bucs’ offense is coming in hot, with Baker Mayfield possibly having the best quarterback performance in the NFL last week and wide receiver Jalen McMillan having a superb opening game in a Bucs uniform.
The Lions’ secondary and pass rush has been a bit of a question mark, too. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is great but lacks a true running mate coming off the edge, and former Buccaneer cornerback Carlton Davis III is still settling into his new digs.
Expect a high-scoring affair that finds the Bucs perhaps drawing the short-end of the stick, falling short 31-28, in a highly-spirited Sunday matchup between two really quality teams.
But do not fret this game. Regardless of the result, this matchup shouldn’t shape your opinion of this squad. The Bucs are still off to a nice start if they’re 1-1, and they get the Broncos the following week, who should give them a soft landing spot and an opportunity to give Winfield, Jr. another week off.
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