The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return to Detroit this weekend for a rematch with the Detroit Lions, the team that ended the Buccaneers 2023 season with a 31-23 win in the divisional round.
The Lions are 7.5 point favorites in this week two matchup, and the Buccaneers defense looks like a mash unit.
The Lions receiving group is one of the best in the NFL, and the Buccaneers secondary will be missing some key players.
Zyon McCollum will start against the Lions
Cornerback Zyon McCollum was in the concussion protocol at practice all week. Jenna Laine of ESPN is reporting, however, that he will start on Sunday.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will miss this game as he has been in a walking boot all week. He could return to action by the end of the month.
Cornerback Bryce Hall suffered a fractured fibula in the game against Washington, and he will miss the rest of the season after being placed on IR.
Cornerback Josh Hayes also suffered an ankle injury and has not practiced this week. He will not play against the Lions.
To add some depth, the Buccaneers resigned Keenan Isaac from the roster, and he is expected to see significant playing time on Sunday.
The Lions are coming off an impressive Sunday Night win against the Los Angeles Rams, 26-20 in OT.
Buccaneers Need To Contain The Lions Run Game
The Lions ran for 163 yards, with David Montgomery running for 91 yards and a TD, 40 yards from Jahmyr Gibbs. With the Buccaneer’s defensive line down Kalijah Cancey and Logan Hall out, it will be another challenging game defensively for the Buccaneer’s defense.
On offense, the Buccaneers looked the best they have looked in quite some time in dismantling the Washington Commanders 37-10.
Baker Mayfield had a career game, and rookie Bucky Irving looks to be the real deal as he led the team in rushing with 74 yards.
The offensive line is still getting used to playing together but may be down-starting right tackle Luke Goedeke, who suffered a concussion in the win against Washington.
If Goedeke cannot play, Justin Skule will fill in at right tackle.
Buccaneers Secondary Will Be Challenged All Game
It will be a huge challenge for the Buccaneers secondary to cover the big three for the Lions: Jameson Williams, Sam Laporta, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams led the Lions in receiving last week with 121 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Todd Bowles had this to say about Amon-Ra St. Brown. “He can do it all. He is very quick. He is very elusive in the slot and he can go outside and run deep balls and he can go in the backfield and run the ball, or he will run reverses and jet sweeps. He can do everything that a receiver can possibly do, whether it is a flea flicker or him running routes. He is a great route runner and gets in and out of breaks very well, so it makes him a very tough cover.”
Tight end Sam Laporta is coming off one of the all-time great rookie seasons for tight ends with 86 catches, ten of those touchdowns.
Bowles talked about the challenge of covering LaPorta. “He is a tight end, but he is a receiver. He can do all the things that wideouts can do, but he can block and overpower you on the inside, so when you have that kind of power and athleticism, it makes him a tough cover.”
It was going to be a struggle with everyone healthy, but with two of your best defensive backs out, it becomes more of a challenge.
Here Is What The Buccaneers Must Do To Beat The Lions
Is there a way that the short-handed Buccaneers can steal a win in Detroit?
Sure.
They have to put pressure on Jared Goff. Goff has averaged 383 passing yards against Tampa in the last four meetings.
To win this game, you can’t let Goff throw the ball all over the field and pass for nearly 400 yards.
It starts with the push-up front with Vita Vea and the edge rushers Ya-Ya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to get pressure on Goff.
Tryon-Shoyinka is coming off one of his better games against Washington when he had one sack and was able to get pressure on Jayden Daniels.
Convert on third down. The Buccaneers cannot afford to go three and out. They need some long drives to keep the high-powered Lions offense off the field
7.5 points favor the Lions, and with the secondary banged up, I don’t see a way the Buccaneers win this game.
I like the Lions to win this game 27-17 and drop the Bucs to 1-1 in the season.