Tag: Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The door is open for James Houston to shine vs. Buccaneers

The door is open for Lions EDGE James Houston to shine vs. Buccaneers thanks to injury and ineffectiveness around him

James Houston was a healthy scratch for the Detroit Lions Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions didn’t need Houston’s services in the game, a contest where the Detroit pass rush completely dominated the decimated Rams line without him.

Yet already, the dynamic has changed. Marcus Davenport, who was outstanding in his Lions debut against the Rams, is doubtful with a groin injury. In Dan Campbell’s world, doubtful means out, leaving Detroit down an impact EDGE.

Aidan Hutchinson was unstoppable in the win over the Rams, but Davenport’s strong presence on the opposite side of the formation created an excellent balance for the Lions pass rush. Outside of those two, Detroit didn’t get much from the EDGEs. Josh Paschal was ineffective in his 20-plus snaps, failing to record a single stat. Levi Onwuzurike, who technically started the game ahead of Davenport, was a lot more effective playing to his inside; the 300-ish pound Onwuzurike isn’t a threat to win around the outside.

Davenport’s anticipated absence creates an opening for a player who can win around the edge. A player who can get off the ball quickly and then bend the corner to get to the quarterback.

A player like James Houston.

The Houston from the final weeks of the 2022 campaign, specifically. Houston was “Da Problem” for opposing quarterbacks, with eight sacks in six games after not playing at all before then.

He’s done next to nothing since, falling on the depth chart the following summer before suffering a serious leg injury in Week 2 of 2023 while playing special teams. Houston was in real danger of not making the Lions 53-man roster, based on Dan Campbell’s own words. But they kept him for a reason.

A game like this one, against Tampa Bay, is that exact reason. With injuries forcing the issue, Houston offers skills no one else on the Lions defense can replicate. It’s his time to shine, to prove he still belongs.

Three players to watch in the Lions vs Bucs game in Week 2

Three players to watch in the Lions vs Bucs game in Week 2

It may not have been pretty but the Detroit Lions won their first game of the season last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Yes, the Lions did lose their grasp of a 17-3 lead but fortunately, they had a good enough drive to get to overtime and an even better drive in overtime.

Outside of their run game, the Lions offense looked like they were shaking off some of the rust in Week 1. But they had big performances from David Montgomery and Jameson Williams. Meanwhile, the Lions defense had a bend-but-do-n’t-break type of game.

At times, they would get torched by Rams quarterback Mathew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp. That connection felt automatic in that game. Fortunately, the Lions were able to make two stops in the final four minutes of regulation. From there, the Lions offense handled their business and did what was needed to get points on the board and win the game.

Now we move to Week 2 and it’s another home game for Detroit. This time, they welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I expect to see receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with a big game on Sunday, and I do believe the Lions rushing attack will do its thing, per usual. With that, I do have six total players to watch for in the Lions and Buccaneers game on Sunday.

CB Terrion Arnold

Starting with the Detroit Lions, eyes should be on cornerback Terrion Arnold this week. In his first career start, he did give up eight catches for 57 yards and did get hit with two pass interference calls. Despite giving up a high percentage of passes against one of the best quarterbacks in the game, Arnold was physical and around the football in week one.

That’s all Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions could ask for to be honest. Arnold finished with 8 tackles and closed quickly to the football. While he was matched up against one of the best receivers in football with Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, there was reassurance from head coach Dan Campbell.

Speaking to the media after their win, Campbell said, “He’s [Arnold] gonna be a good corner in this league for a while.” Meanwhile, Cooper Kupp told Arnold that “he’s one of them ones.” So, while the stat line may say one thing, coaches and players are saying another about the Lions’ first-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.

Against the Bucs, Arnold will have his hands full against receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Both players should be automatic plays in your fantasy leagues but the hope is for Arnold to have an improved stat line in week two. All eyes should be on him as he tries to come up with some key plays for the Detroit defense this week.

RT PENEI SEWELL

Offensively, all eyes should be on the right tackle this week against the Bucs. Right now, we’re monitoring the ankle injury sustained by right tackle Penei Sewell. He had gotten injured during one of the last practices of the summer and he battled through the injury last week. However, he’s ended up on the injury report this week and it’s unclear if he ends up playing this week.

If Sewell does sit for this game, the Lions will have to decide who they play at right tackle. Do they play Dan Skipper? Or should they activate Colby Sorsdal or Giovanni Manu?

Playing the guessing game, I would have to think the Lions will keep Manu inactive for the second game of the season. It just doesn’t seem like he’s ready to go just yet. But we could see Colby Sorsdal start in place of Sewell.

Last season, Sorsdal played in 253 offensive snaps but he only earned a 41.8 overall grade from PFF. He allowed one sack and had two penalties and started 3 games in 2023. That said, Sorsdal was inactive last week. That leads me to believe that he would need to have one heck of a week in practice to get the nod over Dan Skipper.

It feels like the Lions are confident in playing Skipper when they’re in a pinch. That’s what it feels like it will be this week for the Lions starter at right tackle. Stay updated on the Lions injury report throughout the weekend but I’d expect Skipper to start if Sewell can’t play.

DT DJ Reader

Lastly, we’re finally going to see DJ Reader play for the Lions. It’s unclear how many snaps he’ll play or if he’ll even start for the Lions. However, I’d expect him to start alongside Alim McNeill.

There’s doubt that Marcus Davenport will play against the Bucs and if that’s the case, I’d expect a heavy dosage of Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike starting opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.

Regardless, we could see Reader start and still play in a limited fashion. Whatever happens, he’ll provide experience and spark to the middle of the Lions defense. The key for Reader won’t be to just stop the run or create pressure but essentially, the Lions will want him to come out of this game as healthy as he was coming into the game.

 

Broadcast map for Lions vs. Buccaneers shows a small footprint

Broadcast map for Lions vs. Buccaneers shows a small footprint for a great matchup

Detroit and Tampa Bay renew hostilities on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field. It’s a playoff rematch pitting unbeaten teams and two NFC front-runners against one another in an early-season tilt that could very well have significant postseason seeding ramifications.

Despite all that being true, the game will only be available in the early Sunday window in very limited television markets.

The Lions vs. Buccaneers will be the local FOX affiliate game in the markets in orange on the map below (courtesy 506 Sports). Hopefully the use of Tampa Bay’s older color is simply a coincidence. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston will have the broadcast call for FOX.

It’s a relatively small distribution for a game that is a rematch of the NFC Divisional Round eight months ago. Detroit won that game at home, 31-23. The game in red is a duel between the Saints and Cowboys, while the darker blue is Indianapolis at Green Bay.

Lions and Buccaneers have an interesting series history

Lions vs. Buccaneers series history

For the second straight week to start the season, the Lions have themselves a rematch from last season’s playoffs. After knocking off the Los Angeles Rams once again, the Lions are preparing for a rematch of the Divisional Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two teams have a long history with each other. Let’s touch on that history a bit here.

Sunday’s meeting will be the 63rd all-time meeting with the Lions and Buccaneers, including two postseason matchups. The Lions lead the all-time series 33-29. This will also be the second year in a row the teams meet in the regular season. Detroit won in the regular season, 20-6, then in the playoffs, 31-23.

The two franchises were once long-time division foes. From 1977-2001, the two teams resided in the old NFC Central. The Lions joined the division in 1970 while the Buccaneers joined in 1977 after spending their inaugural season of 1976 in the AFC West. The NFL wanted the two expansion franchises of 1976, the Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, to play each other in the first two years as well as every other team in the NFL. Thus, the franchises swapped conferences in 1977 — the Seahawks played in the NFC West in 1976.

The two teams would remain in the NFC Central together until the NFL realigned the divisions in 2002 with the addition of the Houston Texans. The NFC Central effectively became the NFC North and the Lions were kept with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, as they had all been in the same division since 1961. The Buccaneers joined the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers in the new NFC South.

As division rivals, the Lions were 27-24 against the Buccaneers with one postseason loss (1996 NFC Wild Card). Since realignment, Detroit has a 6-5 edge, including last year’s win in the Divisional postseason. Detroit has won two straight and three of the last five meetings. The Lions go for three straight in this series this Sunday afternoon.

Lions-Buccaneers initial injury report medical analysis

Lions-Buccaneers initial injury report medical analysis, including info on Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, Ifeatu Melifonwu and more

A minuscule Week 1 injury report has ballooned in Week 2. Overall, most of the injuries are likely mild, which is good news.

Penei Sewell NO PRACTICE ankle, OT

Obscured video suggests Sewell had a right high ankle injury. He didn’t miss any plays.

High ankle injuries can be tricky as they can cause instability. Even mild ones can result in missed time, like we saw last year with Taylor Decker and Jonah Jackson, who both finished games but then missed two and three games, respectively.

 

Jameson Williams LIMITED PRACTICE ankle, WR

Williams was down for a bit after a tweak to the left high ankle. Players can play through them but still end up missing future games.

I expected that he may get some precautionary rest this week. The LP vs an NP is an excellent sign that he will be available with minimal to no limitations vs the Bucs.

DJ Reader FULL PRACTICE quad, DT

Our most prized free agent signing is expected to make his debut almost exactly nine months from his quad tendon tear on December 16, 2023.

Expect Reader’s snaps to be limited as he has only been practicing for three weeks. Easing him into the season would be a prudent move to try to avoid any further injury.

Kerby Joseph NO PRACTICE hamstring, S

Joseph was in until the final defensive play so hopefully this means it’s nothing serious.

Marcus Davenport NO PRACTICE groin, DE

Davenport was in on the penultimate defensive play vs the Rams. No signs of injury, so severity is uncertain. After only playing four games last year, he needs to prove he can stay healthy.

Carlton Davis FULL PRACTICE chest, CB

Landing on his elbow could have caused the wind to get knocked out of him or a slightly more serious rib cartilage or abdominal injury. The fact that he was listed with a chest means it was a bit more than just wind. The FP suggests he is good and it was probably just a mild bruise.

Ifeatu Melifonwu NO PRACTICE ankle, S

With a possible ankle sprain suffered in the 2nd preseason game, Melifonwu is still not practicing — not a good sign for this weekend.

Loren Strickland FULL PRACTICE thumb, S

This undrafted rookie looks to be ready for this weekend. He may end up making his debut, depending on the health of Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph.

NOTABLES UNLISTED

Terrion Arnold

Against the Rams, Arnold laid down briefly for unknown reasons as nothing showed up on video. He appeared to be reaching for the left hip and upper leg area but this was inconclusive.

Brian Branch

Branch stayed down for an extra second this past Sunday after what appeared to be a hard hit to the side of the head which was worrisome for a concussion. There were no external signs of a concussion on the limited video.

Being unlisted is a reassuring sign that he avoided a concussion although it doesn’t rule out an undiagnosed concussion. Without external signs, a doctor can not diagnose a concussion unless the patient self-reports symptoms. Either way, he should be available on Sunday.

Alex Anzalone

Anzalone was sandwiched awkwardly while making a tackle on Sunday night. The video was benign and it’s good to see nothing came of it.

Dan Campbell Wednesday Press Conference Notes

No injuries were discussed at all. James Houston‘s preseason bone bruise injury was not brought up as a factor when Campbell discussed his inactivation in week one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calijah Kancey NO PRACTICE calf, DT

Kancey missed week one with this calf injury.

Last year, he had a calf strain in training camp that took four weeks to recover from. Then in his first game back on week one, he aggravated it and missed the next three games.

With this kind of directly relevant personal history, I expect the Bucs to play it very safe and not even consider playing him this weekend.

Antoine Winfield Jr NO PRACTICE ankle, S

This important starter will miss the game on Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Zyon McCollom LIMITED PRACTICE concussion, CB

An LP means that he will likely pass through the concussion protocol and be ready for Sunday.

Josh Hayes NO PRACTICE ankle, DB

Hayes left last game with an ankle injury and was later seen in a boot which is not a good sign for availability this weekend.

KJ Britt LIMITED PRACTICE illness, LB

William Gholston LIMITED PRACTICE elbow, DT

Luke Goedeke LIMITED PRACTICE concussion, OT

Logan Hall LIMITED PRACTICE foot, DE

NOTABLES UNLISTED

Bryce Hall CB fractured his ankle this past weekend and was placed on IR.

FANTASY IMPACT

The Bucs have major secondary issues as four defensive backs were injured in their last game. At least two will not play (Hall, Winfield) and likely three (Hayes). Also likely out is Calijah Kancey, a good pass rushing DT.

This could open the door for Williams to have another big game or for St. Brown to make his typical impact. Kalif Raymond and Sam LaPorta likely will benefit also.

Last year in the playoff game vs the Bucs, St. Brown had 8 receptions for 77 yards, LaPorta had nine for 65, and Williams two for 35. Raymond did not play due to a right knee injury.

If the Bucs decide to drop more players back to protect the secondary, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery could capitalize in the running game. Last year in the playoffs, Gibbs had a big day with nine rushes for 74 yards and four receptions for 40 yards while Montgomery had ten rushes for 33 yards and three receptions for 14 yards.

Regardless of who gets the yards, the offense is primed to bounce back after gaining only 293 yards in regulation against the Rams.

Lions Frank Ragnow snubbed on the NFL Top 100

Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow is a glaring snub from this year’s NFL Top 100 list

Whenever I see power rankings, position rankings and things of that nature, I always take it with a grain of salt. Not everyone is going to agree with those lists or rankings and more often than not, everyone tends to be a little different with how they rank a team or a player.

That said, the NFL and the players that vote on the NFL Top-100 players got it wrong by not having Frank Ragnow on their list this year. As of now, the top 10 is still set to be revealed, but the way it sits, there are only two interior offensive linemen in the top 100.

I’d be curious what the criteria is to make the NFL Top-100. Is it data and analytical rankings from sites such as Pro Football Focus (PFF)? Or is it based off the number of games played? Could these rankings be strictly based off the film?

Whatever the case may be, Ragnow is better than just about everyone at his position. Especially now that Eagles’ longtime center Jason Kelce retired. But when you look at the PFF grades for centers in the NFL, Ragnow led the way in 2023 with an 88.1 overall grade.

If you go to the film, you can see multiple reps on every single drive where Ragnow just dominates the opposition. Whether it’s physically driving defenders into the dirt or just having proper positioning to climb the second level and seal off linebackers and safeties.

Look at the play above where Ragnow gets up to the second level and clamps onto a linebacker with ease. He stays square, keeps his hands tight and inside and then he shows off his grip strength by being able to steer and drive the defender. The defenders in the NFL would be lying if they said there’s no game plan or preparation needed for Ragnow.

Meanwhile, he’s tough as nails. During the Lions playoff game against the Buccaneers in 2023, Ragnow suffered a sprained knee and ankle in that game. While he missed a few plays to get checked out by trainers, he came back in and finished the game. In fact, he made one of the key blocks from his knees on Vita Vea during a 4th and 1 run play from the Bucs half-yard line. This block helped keep running back Craig Reynolds clean long enough to enter the end zone for a touchdown.

You can call me biased or a fanboy, but the fact remains that Frank Ragnow should be rated as one of the top 100 players in the NFL. Certainly, the list means nothing to Ragnow but he should still be given a tip of the hat by his peers and by the league for his toughness and dominance at his position. If he can stay healthy, I’d expect that same dominance from the Lions 7-year veteran.

[lawrence-related id=108912]

Trade alert: Lions make a deal for Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis

Davis has started 75 games in six seasons in Tampa Bay and is under contract through 2024

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a trade!

The Detroit Lions have traded a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In exchange for the pick, Detroit will receive starting cornerback Carlton Davis, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

It’s a move that brings instant stability and credibility to the Lions at the outside cornerback position. Davis, 27, has started 75 games for Tampa Bay over the last six seasons.

The 6-foot-1 Davis is entering the final year of his contract. He is due $14.5 million for 2024 and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season unless the Lions agree to a contract extension.

Detroit held two picks in the third round and is sending their own pick, No. 61 overall, to the Buccaneers in the deal. The Lions will keep Minnesota’s pick at No. 73 overall from the T.J. Hockenson trade. Tampa Bay has two sixth-round picks in 2024 and it is not yet clear which of those conveys to Detroit in the trade.

Lions vs. Buccaneers: What I learned from film study of Detroit’s playoff win

Lions vs. Buccaneers: What I learned from film study of Detroit’s playoff win from Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon

Fresh off the first Detroit Lions postseason victory since the 1991 season, the team decided that one win wasn’t enough. The Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23, in Ford Field in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round matchup to advance to the NFC Championship in San Francisco.

Just like the win over the Rams a week earlier, this was a stressful game decided in the fourth quarter. The first three quarters all ended with the score tied. The tension of such a closely-played, high-stakes contest shone through even on the silent All-22 game film.

This week’s film rewatch of the game, both of the broadcast feed and the All-22, revealed a lot about the Lions and where they win and lose games. Here’s some of what I took away from the rewatch.

[lawrence-related id=102455]

Lions Rookie Report: How did Detroit’s rookie class perform against the Buccaneers?

The Lions are now on their way to San Francisco to play in their first NFC championship game since 1991 in large part to their rookie class.

It got close at the end, but the Detroit Lions are on their way to the NFC Championship. They will be facing off against the San Francisco 49ers with a win securing them their first Super Bowl berth in franchise history.

The team came this far largely due to their rookie class and how quickly they have performed. Brad Holmes and his team aced their draft process and it should go down as one of the best draft classes in franchise history. One move in particular, drafting Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall, now looks the best.

Gibbs had this as a potential breakout game. LaPorta showed no moment is too big for him. Meanwhile, Branch and Campbell showed they can make plays time and again.

Here is how they all fared in the second playoff game of their careers.

[lawrence-related id=102417]

Look: Top photos from the Lions playoff win over Tampa Bay

Here are some of the top photos from inside the stadium in Detroit’s NFC Divisional round win.

The Detroit Lions have won two postseason games in the same year for the first time since 1957. Beating the Buccaneers by a 31-23 score on Sunday sends the Lions to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday with a chance to play for a berth in the Super Bowl.

The win over the Buccaneers was filled with big plays and key moments. It also featured some crazy energy from the Lions fans inside Ford Field.

Here are some of the top photos from inside the stadium in Detroit’s NFC Divisional round win.