Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucs sport with six quick-hitting subjects. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponent, what’s going to result in a Tampa Bay victory or loss and a few key matchups to observe every week.
The Bucs have gained three straight NFC South titles and sit atop the division with 1-0 New Orleans after Tampa Bay’s 37-20 season-opening win over Washington. Tampa Bay now heads to Detroit to face the 1-0 Lions in a revenge sport because the Lions beat the Bucs twice final yr, together with within the NFC Divisional spherical of the playoffs.
What’s At Stake For The Bucs
Lions DB Ifeatu Melifonwu and Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: USA At present
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles has struggled to beat Detroit quarterback Jared Goff and decelerate a potent Lions offense. He’s had all offseason to sport plan for this huge Week 2 matchup and must provide you with a sport plan that rivals his 32-9 demolition of the Eagles in final yr’s Wild Card playoffs as a substitute of the 31-23 loss at Detroit the next week within the subsequent spherical. Tampa Bay shall be short-handed within the secondary with out All-Professional free security Antoine Winfield Jr., who suffered an ankle sprain late within the win over Washington, and high reserve cornerback Bryce Corridor, who fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle. Corridor was positioned on injured reserve.
The Bucs additionally may be with out beginning cornerback Zyon McCollum, who suffered a concussion within the first half of the season opener, along with fourth-string cornerback Josh Hayes, who sprained an ankle. Bowles must muster up a more practical go rush in opposition to Goff than Tampa Bay had final yr in two conferences. Having pass-rushing defensive deal with Calijah Kancey, who sacked Goff in every sport final yr, would assist, however his standing for Sunday is unsure proper now as a result of a calf harm.
Tampa Bay is itching for revenge after dropping twice to Detroit final yr, however might want to depend on the offense to maybe win this sport in a shootout to cowl for an ailing protection. Baker Mayfield and Co. put up 37 factors final week, and that shall be laborious to copy in opposition to a a lot more durable Lions protection this week. However with out a huge day offensively, the Bucs might not have the ability to win because the depleted protection may have a tough time slowing the Lions offense down.
What’s At Stake For The Lions
Bucs RB Rachaad White – Picture by: USA At present
The Lions began the season 1-0 after coming again to beat the Rams in time beyond regulation at house in Week 1 final week. Detroit’s balanced offense is the envy of the league with succesful receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, a rising star in tight finish Sam LaPorta and a one-two punch within the backfield with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Quarterback Jared Goff is among the greatest triggermen within the league and this unit has nice continuity because of one of many strongest offensive traces within the NFL.
The Bucs protection was at full power final yr and driving the momentum of a 5-1 end and a convincing playoff win over the Eagles and nonetheless couldn’t stop the Lions from scoring 31 factors. It seems to be a tall order to try to do this this yr with such a banged up secondary. Goff will look to reap the benefits of rookies Tyrek Funderburk, who might begin at outdoors cornerback if Zyon McCollum can’t go, and Tykee Smith, the group’s new nickel cornerback. Moreover, Christian Izien shall be beginning for injured All-Professional Antoine Winfield Jr. at free security.
A win over the Bucs wouldn’t solely propel the Lions to a 2-0 file to start out the season, but in addition give Detroit a head-to-head tiebreaker over Tampa Bay ought to that be essential to find out playoff seeding within the NFC come January. The Lions’ mastery over the Bucs might proceed with a 3rd straight win and that would enhance the group’s confidence much more ought to these two groups sq. off once more within the 2024 playoffs.
The Bucs Win If…
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Picture by: USA At present
Bucs head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles might want to determine find out how to greatest defend his injury-riddled secondary. Will that be to hurry 4 and drop seven defenders in zone protection? That might result in a veteran quarterback like Jared Goff having time to select aside the defensive backfield. Or will Bowles attempt to strain Goff with a myriad of blitzers to attempt to get sacks and power faster throws that can assist his secondary by not having to cowl their targets as lengthy? No matter technique he goes with has to work for the Bucs to have an opportunity of successful.
All of it begins with the defensive entrance. Tampa Bay has to cease or at the least decelerate Detroit’s potent floor sport. If David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs can successfully run the ball and supply stability for the Lions offense, it is going to be very troublesome for the Bucs to win this sport. Making Detroit one-dimensional is a should – as is taking part in nice purple zone protection. The Lions offense as an entire can’t be stopped, however the Bucs protection has to power discipline objectives and stop touchdowns within the purple zone. Getting some takeaways on protection additionally looks like a should.
On offense, the Bucs must be balanced with the working sport coming by way of with the one-two punch of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving – and win within the purple zone. Tampa Bay solely scored a pair of discipline objectives in a 20-6 Week 6 loss to Detroit final yr, however managed to attain three touchdowns in a 31-23 defeat within the playoffs. Baker Mayfield should keep away from turnovers – he threw a complete of three interceptions mixed in each video games final yr – and proceed to attain touchdowns in Detroit. Discipline objectives gained’t beat the Lions.
The Lions Win If…
Lions WR Jameson Williams and former Bucs S Ryan Neal – Picture by: USA At present
Detroit gained the road of scrimmage in each wins over Tampa Bay final yr. Within the playoffs, the Lions line of defense sacked Baker Mayfield 4 occasions and pressured him into two interceptions. Whereas the Bucs ran for 89 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry, they solely ran the ball 15 occasions as a result of they trailed all the the sport. Detroit is stout on either side of the ball and the group might want to use the gang noise at house to full benefit to proceed to get after Mayfield.
Offensively, the Lions are laborious to beat if they will obtain stability on offense. Detroit ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns within the 31-23 win over Tampa Bay within the playoffs final yr. Jahmyr Gibbs’ 31-yard landing run within the fourth quarter proved to be the nail within the coffin for the Bucs protection. If Gibbs and David Montgomery get happening the bottom, it opens up the play-action sport for Jared Goff and makes him much more efficient within the pocket, hitting Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown downfield.
The Lions additionally beat the Bucs within the turnover division in each contests final season. Detroit picked off Baker Mayfield as soon as in Tampa Bay and twice at house within the playoffs, whereas not turning the ball over as soon as in opposition to the Bucs. Tampa Bay cornerback Jamel Dean dropped an interception in the long run zone on Detroit’s first drive of the Divisional Spherical sport, and it value the Bucs a discipline aim. If Detroit continues to win the turnover battle, it should proceed to beat Tampa Bay.
Bucs’ Key Matchup On Offense
Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Lions CB Carlton Davis III
Former Bucs CB Carlton Davis III and Bucs WR Mike Evans – Picture by: Cliff Welch
This matchup gained’t happen on a down-in, down-out foundation, as Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen will transfer Mike Evans round and line him up on the robust aspect and the weak aspect of the formation, along with the slot often. However when the previous Bucs cornerback goes in opposition to Evans, it is going to be a must-see matchup. Davis will need some revenge for the Bucs buying and selling him away this offseason. Evans needs some revenge in opposition to the Lions – interval.
Davis and Evans did go at it every so often in coaching camp when the Bucs went starters vs. starters, and as anticipated, Evans gained extra reps than he misplaced. However that doesn’t imply that Davis can’t give him matches. At 6-foot-1 with lengthy arms, Davis is a tricky, bodily cornerback. But accidents have taken their toll and robbed him of some velocity. And Evans doesn’t appear to be he’s misplaced a step regardless of turning 31 in August.
Evans had a late landing in opposition to the Lions within the playoff sport and completed with eight catches for 147 yards (18.4 avg.) within the loss. He’ll want that kind of efficiency once more and maybe one other two-touchdown day like he had within the Bucs’ 37-20 season-opening win over the Commanders. When the Lions single cowl Evans with Davis on Sunday, search for Baker Mayfield to not hesitate and goal the previous Tampa Bay cornerback. Detroit can be clever to double Evans and provides Davis some assist excessive with a security.
Bucs’ Key Matchup On Protection
Bucs Go Rush vs. Lions Offensive Line
Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Slowing down Detroit’s gifted extensive receiver tandem of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams shall be laborious sufficient for Tampa Bay’s injury-ravaged secondary. However with out an efficient go rush, quarterback Jared Goff may have time to scan the sphere and patiently wait till his receivers get open. The Bucs sacked Jared Goff thrice in Week 6 in Tampa Bay final October, however solely sacked him twice in Detroit within the playoffs. The defender chargeable for two of these 5 sacks – defensive deal with Calijah Kancey – might or might not play this week as a result of a calf harm that knocked him out of final week’s season opener.
The Lions have two of the most effective offensive linemen within the league in Professional Bowl middle Frank Ragnow and All-Professional proper deal with Penei Sewell. If Kancey can’t go, it’s crucial that defensive deal with Vita Vea and outdoors linebackers Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka can apply strain and rattle Goff – one thing that doesn’t occur typically. Diaby was invisible final yr within the playoffs and wishes a greater displaying this time round in Detroit. He didn’t file a stat final week in opposition to Washington however led Tampa Bay with 5 pressures.
Todd Bowles used Greg Gaines as a starter rather than Kancey final week, however he’s not an excellent go rusher. On third-and-long or apparent passing downs, it may be higher to kick Tryon-Shoyinka inside subsequent to Vea and use Chris Braswell on the sting reverse Diaby. Additionally, this may be the sport the place the extra athletic SirVocea Dennis is used extra at inside linebacker than Okay.J. Britt. Dennis is a significantly better blitzer and recorded his first NFL sack final week in opposition to Jayden Daniels.
