The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Detroit Lions, 24-9 at Ford Field. The Lions outgained the Bucs in total yards, 379-251 and Jahmyr Gibbs became the catalyst for Detroit, accumulating 218 yards from scrimmage. Baker Mayfield completed 28 of 50 attempts for 228 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Cade Otton led the Bucs in receiving with seven receptions for 65 yards.
The Lions scored on their opening offensive possession that culminated in a 27-yard touchdown by Amon-Ra St. Brown off a crossing route. The Lions took an early 7-0 lead following the six-play, 69-yard drive. The Buccaneers followed suit with a three-and-out, but the defense created a surge. Yaya Diaby notched a strip sack and Elijah Roberts recovered the football at the Tampa Bay 40-yard line. Tampa Bay was unable to cash in with points and following a Rachaad White two-yard loss on third down, the Bucs were forced to punt.
The Buccaneers offense stalled in the second quarter and the Lions reached the end zone on a 78-yard run up the middle by Jahmyr Jibbs on an inside zone rush. He powered his way through and accelerated, providing the Lions with a 14-0 advantage. Just before the two-minute warning, Amik Robertson forced the ball out of Sterling Shepard's hands and Aidan Hutchinson recovered the football at the Tampa Bay 41-yard line. On the Bucs next drive, a pass completion ruling by Cade Otton was reversed and the Lions took over.
The defense created the momentum swing prior to halftime. Tykee Smith came off the edge and took down Goff on a blitz for a loss of nine and Jamel Dean followed up with an interception at the Tampa Bay 30-yard line and ensuing 13-yard return, which set up Chase McLaughlin's 53-yard field goal. Dean had the flat covered and continued to drop and drove on the ball to give the ball to the offense. In the first half, the Bucs had four first downs and 58 total net yards.
Out of halftime, the Buccaneers reached the end zone on an 11-play, 67-yard drive. Mayfield connected with Tez Johnson on a screen and the rookie maneuvered his way to the end zone, hurdling over a defender for RAC, trimming the deficit 14-9. As he spun and cutback at the end to cross the goal line, receiver Ryan Miller made a key block to pave the way. The Lions quickly answered with a touchdown of their own on a five-yard Gibbs' rush up the middle. The play before, Gibbs took a short pass from Goff in the flat and churned upfield for a gain of 28 yards to make it 21-9. A 58-yard field goal by Jake Bates gave the Lions a 24-9 cushion and a stand by the Lions' banged up secondary in the end zone kept the Bucs from scoring late in the fourth.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 28/50 for 228 yards - 1 TD & 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Rachaad White: 10 rushes for 38 yards
- Receiving: WR Tez Johnson: 4 catches for 58 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: OLB Yaya Diaby: 5 total tackles for 1.0 sack & 1 FF
Lions:
- Passing: QB Jared Goff: 19/28 for 241 yards - 1 TD & 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Jahmyr Gibbs: 17 rushes for 136 yards - 2 TDs
- Receiving: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: 6 catches for 86 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Jack Campbell: 8 total tackles, 1.0 sack
