The Detroit Lions look to end another postseason drought by hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Coming off their first playoff win in 32 years, the Lions have a win against a Buccaneers team that has already pulled off one postseason upset.
This NFC Divisional Playoff game begins at 3 PM ET on Sunday at Ford Field. NBC will handle the broadcast. Detroit fans are still enjoying Sunday night’s 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams and are hoping this Lions team can take the next step – advancing to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season. To do that, the NFC North champs must pick up their second win against the NFC South’s top team.
The Lions (12-5) won their first game by defeating Tampa Bay 20-6 in week six. This started a four-game slump, but the Buccaneers turned things around in a big way, winning their last five games. Six to claim the division title.
Then on Monday night, Baker Mayfield’s stellar performance (337 passing yards, three touchdowns) and plenty of defensive help were highlighted in a 32–9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only did Tampa hold the Eagles to 42 rushing yards, but they were punted on third down and fourth down (a combined 0-for-11).
Detroit had to work harder for its wild-card win. The Lions took an early lead of 21-10 before the attack stalled. The defense did its job, holding the Rams to two field goals in the second half before coming to a crucial stop late in the fourth quarter.
Jared Goff was efficient (22 of 27 for 277 yards and a touchdown), but the offense managed only one field goal in the final five drives, and Detroit trailed by nearly 100 yards (425 to 334). David Montgomery and Jahmir Gibbs each scored a rushing touchdown, but otherwise combined for 82 yards on 22 carries. That production should improve against a Bucs defense that has been strong all season.
Another concern for Detroit is the health of Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta. He was doubtful to play last week due to a knee injury but ended up playing. He caught Goff’s only touchdown pass but was not 100 percent. If he can finish it off once again, his presence will take some defensive attention away from Amon-Ra St. Brown, who led the team with seven catches for 110 yards in the wild-card round. Laporta is doubtful for the game.
As impressive as Mayfield looked in breaking through Philadelphia’s defense, the encouraging sign is that he didn’t do all his damage by throwing to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Instead, tight end Cade Otton led the way with 89 yards on eight catches, while wide receivers David Moore and Trey Palmer each caught touchdown passes that covered more than 40 yards.
Mayfield’s ability to spread the ball around will put more pressure on a Lions defense that has given up 367 passing yards to the Rams. This could also help open up some more holes for Rachad White, though Detroit continued its strong performance against the run (No. 2 in the regular season) by limiting Los Angeles to 68 yards on 17 carries. Either way, Mayfield should be wary of Aiden Hutchinson, who had two sacks in his postseason start.
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Injury report for Lions vs. Buccaneers
buccaneers
Questionable: QB John Wolford (illness), RB Chase Edmunds (toe), OLB Shaquille Barrett (ankle).
lions
Out: WR Kalif Raymond (knee)
Questionable: TE Sam LaPorta (knee), LB James Houston (ankle).
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(Photo of Jahmir Gibbs and David Montgomery: Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
