The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled off the impossible on Sunday afternoon, avenging their divisional round playoff loss to the Lions last season by defeating Detroit in thrilling 20-16 fashion.
Many predict the Lions will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but the Lions looked like anything but Super Bowl contenders on Sunday.
The Buccaneers were down starters Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr., as well as Vita Vea for most of the second half.
Tykee Smith had the flu, YaYa Diaby was banged up, and the Bucs were down offensive lineman Luke Goedeke, who had a concussion.
Yet, the defense was able to hold the Lions off the scoreboard in the third quarter despite them running 28 offensive plays and 23 in Buccaneers territory.
Oh, the Buccaneers gave up 569 total yards to the Lions. Baker Mayfield also only completed 12 passes and was sacked five times.
Yet, the Bucs rolled out of Detroit with the 20-17 win.
Young Guys On Defense Step Up To Hold Down the Lions Offense
It was good to get contributions from the young guys. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tykee Smith, SirVocea Dennis, Izien, and McCollum all made key plays to help the Buccaneers win.
Baker Mayfield had another one of those games, where although he didn’t put up the gaudy numbers as he did a week ago against Washington, he was the spark-plug on offense that helped the Bucs get the win.
Mayfield led the team in rushing with 34 yards and a touchdown and passed for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The rushing touchdown was an 11-yard run, the longest of Mayfield’s career.
Mayfield Will Do Whatever It Takes To Win
Mayfield has developed a reputation for being unafraid to do whatever it takes to get a first down or make a play. Todd Bowles talked about the play of Mayfield post-game: “He knows when to get down, he knows when the pocket’s clean for him to throw, and when to run. Like I said, you’ve got to have a feel for that. He has a great feel for that and that’s part of his game that helps our offense be better and we like it.”
Mayfield said he is not looking to run, but he will let his legs make plays if needed. “You know what, I’m not looking to run first by any means. But if the play call is a QB draw, I’m going to try and make it work. So, for me, like I said, let the defense dictate where the ball is going to go, and if I have to make plays, my legs do it.”
It’s hard to be disappointed when you are undefeated and have a big win on the road, but the running game has been a big disappointment so far.
Bucs Running Game Still Abysmal
The Bucs are 22nd in the NFL, running the ball and averaging 91 yards per game. Last season, the Buccaneers finished last in the NFL, averaging 88 yards per game.
The run game has not been as advertised despite assurances that it would be an improvement from last season.
There’s also some concern about Raachad White. He doesn’t seem like himself in the last two games. White had just 18 yards on 10 carries against the Lions. On the season, White has 49 yards on 25 carries for 2.0 yards per carry.
White adds value to the offense besides just running the ball, but for a guy wanting to hit the 1,000-yard mark this season, he has a long way to go.
White needs to average 63 yards a game for the next 15 games to hit that mark, but I’m not sure he can hit that mark the way he has looked running the ball.
Chris Godwin was Baker Mayfield’s go-to receiver early in the game and led the Bucs in receiving with seven catches for 117 yards and one touchdown.
Christien Izien and Zyon McCollum had interceptions for the Buccaneers.
Vita Vea suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain and left the game in the third quarter. He is day-to-day.
The Bucs return home next weekend to take on the 0-2 Denver Broncos.