Bucs Nation
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the Monday Night Football stage in week 7. A team trying to earn national respect with a quarterback raking in MVP votes matched up against a team that took the field against trying to earn national respect with a quarterback raking in MVP votes; A matchup of mirror image teams in a lot of ways— Which reflection would take the win?
Last week, the Buccaneers’ offense was the first to get the ball and the first to punt it. This week Detroit’s offense was first up, however, Tampa’s unit was still the first punt. The Lions cruised down the field for a quick Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown. 7-0, Detroit. Tampa Bay’s aforementioned punt came after a quick three-and-out. Running the risk of facing an early two-score deficit, Todd Bowles’ defense stepped up. Yaya Diaby and a rare phenomenal moment from a Buccaneers’ edge-rusher gave Baker Mayfield the ball back with excellent field position. Diaby pressured Jared Goff from his blindside and was able to use his wingspan to swipe the ball out of Goff’s hands for an Elijah Roberts fumble recovery. Tampa Bay’s offense, not quite as stout as their defense, followed up the turnover with another punt.
At the start of quarter number two, the Buccaneers’ offense was beginning their third drive, still without a single first down. The team would finally nab their elusive introductory first down, however, not much would follow— It wouldn’t be until Tampa Bay’s next drive that they would get their second. While the Buccaneers were tallying first downs by duo, Detroit’s offense was stacking touchdowns. 14-0, Lions, following a 78-yard Jahmyr Gibbs score.
When it rains it pours, the Lions play in a dome, but it was pouring on the Tampa Bay sideline. Struggling to find yards, first downs, completions, and health the Buccaneers re-lost Mike Evans in his return to action and pieced together back-to-back turnovers —As many as they’ve had all season— with a Sterling Shepard fumble and a Baker Mayfield interception.
With an abnormally horrendous offensive performance underway, the Bucs’ defense continued to their best to keep the team afloat. The Lions’ offense, gifted great field position off of consecutive turnovers, came up empty. A missed field goal and then a third Jamel Dean interception of the season kept Detroit halted at 14. Jamel Dean’s interception actually allowed the Buccaneers to put a small dent in the Lions’ lead 14-point advantage, with a long Chase McLaughlin kick to give the Bucs a semblance of life before half. 14-3, Detroit.
The Bucs’ offense finished the second quarter with their only scoring drive of of the half. The unit followed up those three points with easily their best drive of the evening. Baker Mayfield dealing the ball to his Mike Evans-less set of weapons Emeka Egbuka, and then ultimately Tez Johnson for drive-capping touchdown— A catch-and-run highlight reel score, his second in as many weeks. A failed two-point...
