It’s loopy to assume that the Bucs (6-7) could possibly be a .500 workforce with a win over the Lions (3-9-1).
This workforce was in a serious gap only a month in the past. Bruce Arians was in the course of a four-game dropping streak throughout a 3-7 marketing campaign on the time, and there seemed like there was no hope in sight.
However this workforce has discovered a solution to win three straight video games and now they’ve an amazing shot to win a fourth straight on the street this week in Motown.
Overview
- All-time collection report: Detroit holds a 31-26 benefit over the Bucs.
- Playoff historical past: Tampa Bay gained the lone playoff matchup, which was a 20-10 victory over the Lions again in 1997.
- Longest win streak: The Lions gained 5 in a row from 1994-1996.
- Largest margin of victory: Detroit annihilated Tampa Bay, 38-7 in 1992.
- 2019 offensive and defensive rankings: Tampa Bay has the third-best offense within the NFL (2nd cross, t24th run) and the 17th-best protection (31st cross, 1st run). The Lions have the 13th-best offense (seventh cross, 19th run) and the 29th-best protection (30th cross, 23rd run).
What To Watch For
- Winston’s blindside: It’s going to be an enormous deal if Donovan Smith can’t go on Sunday.
- The thumb: It is going to be fascinating to see how Winston’s thumb impacts his potential to throw the ball.
- No Mike Evans: That is the primary of three video games by which Evans gained’t be on the sector. Will the passing assault take a step again with out its finest participant?
- Darius Slay vs. Chris Godwin: A top-tier cornerback vs. receiver matchup is all the time enjoyable to observe.
- Shaq assault on Sapp: Barrett is one sack away from tying Sapp’s single season report of 16.5 sacks. He might concurrently tie and break the report this weekend.
Influence Gamers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QB Jameis Winston: He had a profession day in opposition to the Colts, however will play by means of damage on Sunday. Will his thumb restrict him as a passer?
- WR Chris Godwin: It’s time for Godwin to step up and take over the WR1 function.
- TE O.J. Howard: Will Evans’ damage create extra alternative for Howard?
- DL Vita Vea: The Lions are going to attempt to run the ball, so Vea might want to management the road of scrimmage.
- OLB Shaquil Barrett: Can he tie/break Warren Sapp’s single-season sack report this week?
- CB Carlton Davis III: Kenny Golladay is likely one of the league’s finest receivers and can should be accounted for on each play. Enter Davis.
Detroit Lions
- QB David Blough: Will the younger quarterback shake himself out of the present droop that he’s going by means of?
- WR Kenny Golladay: This man is a nightmare and the Bucs might want to account for him on each snap.
- The offensive line: They’ll want one among their finest performances of the yr in opposition to Tampa Bay’s defensive entrance.
- DL Damon Harrison: The inside of the offensive line may have its fingers full with this man.
- DE Trey Flowers: He has a shot to notch a career-high in sacks this week. Let’s hope it doesn’t occur in opposition to the Bucs.
- CB Darius Slay: Will he match up in opposition to Godwin?
Cool Stats
- QB Jameis Winston has had a productive season, setting a brand new franchise report for passing yards with 4,115. He additionally stands tied for third in workforce historical past together with his 26 landing passes this season. He wants three touchdowns to interrupt his personal franchise report of 28 passing touchdowns in a season.
- Winston joined Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Dan Marino and Matthew Stafford as the one quarterbacks with at the very least 4,000 passing yards in three of their first 5 NFL seasons.
- The Buccaneers have scored 378 this season, which presently stand because the fourth-most factors scored in a single season in franchise historical past. They want 18 factors to tie probably the most factors in a single season in franchise historical past (396) and 19 factors for probably the most factors in a single season in franchise historical past (397).
- Tampa Bay recorded 467 passing yards in opposition to Indianapolis. With 450 or extra passing yards at Detroit, it could mark the primary time in NFL historical past a workforce posted consecutive video games with at the very least 450 passing yards.
- The Buccaneers have totaled for five,107 yards this season. The workforce wants 123 yards for 10th-most (5,229 in 2007), 215 yards for ninth-most (5,321 in 1984), 256 yards for eighth-most (5,362 in 2010), 347 yards for seventh-most (5,453 in 2003), 350 yards for sixth-most (5,456 in 2008) and 436 yards for fifth-most (5,542 in 2016) yards in a single season in workforce historical past.
*Stats supplied by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Communications Division
Sport Outlook
The Bucs are coping with some main accidents, however they need to nonetheless be capable to handle enterprise and get to .500.
They’re the extra proficient workforce they usually have the higher quarterback in Winston. Detroit’s teaching workers additionally hasn’t reached the purpose the place it may well scheme/sport plan round main accidents with a purpose to win video games.
Clearly, you need the Bucs to win this one, however the greatest key right here would be the long-term well being of the gamers. You don’t need anybody else happening, particularly with a serious damage.
Tampa Bay comes away with one other street win and hopefully stays wholesome within the means of doing so.
