Thursday, December 12, 2024

Three Takeaways as Bucs beaten by Lions 20-6

The Bucs were looking to cement their place as the best team in the NFC South, while the Lions were looking to extend their lead atop the NFC North.

In the end the Bucs defence couldn’t hold out long enough for the offence to find its groove (which it never did). So let’s look at our three takeaways from the game.

BAKER MAYFIELD IS KEY FOR BUCS

Coming in to the season I’m not sure I thought Baker Mayfield was good enough to be Bucs QB. But not until this week did he show that. Up until now I have been impressed, and ready to admit I was wrong. I still am, because this game showed just how important Mayfield has been this season.

And unlike the rumours about him, he took the blame. After the game Mayfield said, “We sucked today. I sucked today, we sucked today — it was awful. … If we play like that, we’re gonna lose every time. Defense and special teams did an amazing job yet again, and offense — we just need to pick our s— up.”

Completing just 19/37 was just a horror show. The fact he stood up there are took it on the chin tells me he can still get the Bucs to the playoffs, and may be the longterm solution.

THE BUCS DEFENCE IS LEGIT, AND TIRED

The hard part about a loss like this is that the defence played well enough to win, and deserved way more from the offence. And now they’re tired after being on the field for 36:30. It’s not a good place to be, and can’t happen every week or injuries will happen more regularly as we hit the second half of the season.

Despite giving up 380 total yards this was a good game from the defence as they held the now 5-1 Lions offence in check for most of the day.

THE LIONS MAY ACTUALLY BE A DECENT TEAM

Jared Goff threw for 353 yards and put up 20-points on a good Bucs defence, and took the Lions to 5-1 and gave them a 3-game lead in the NFC North. Yes it’s early in the season, but keep an eye on this Lions team because they could be real dark horses this season.

After the game Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell summed up the game, and the Lions season, “I can’t say enough about our defensive performance today and really for five games this year, to be honest with you. Man, we’re just playing as one unit right now. When your defense only gives up six points it’s saying a lot.”

Detroit LionsTampa Bay Buccaneers
1st Downs1913
Passing 1st downs1612
Rushing 1st downs20
1st downs from penalties11
3rd down efficiency9-162-12
4th down efficiency0-01-2
Total Plays6954
Total Yards380251
Total Drives1110
Yards per Play5.54.6
Passing340205
Comp-Att30-4419-37
Yards per pass7.25.4
Interceptions thrown01
Sacks-Yards Lost3-131-1
Rushing4046
Rushing Attempts2216
Yards per rush1.82.9
Red Zone (Made-Att)0-20-2
Penalties5-355-33
Turnovers01
Fumbles lost00
Interceptions thrown01
Defensive / Special Teams TDs00
Possession36:3023:30

For more like this, you can visit our NFL section here. Also, follow us on Facebook for coverage of the NFL and much more.

Giants wrecking crew getting at it in 2024

The Giants newest acquisition Brian Burns is lighting a fire under fellow edge Kayvon Thobodeaux as the pair look to take the NFC East by...

Ravens looking to 2024, Fueled by 2023

The Baltimore Ravens are still angry about their season ending to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they're using it as fuel as they begin to...

Desperate stuff from Jets HC Saleh for ’24?

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says head coach Robert Saleh is adding his own spin to the new offence they are building in New York. "He's added...

Saints QB Carr thinks team way ahead

Saints QB Derek Carr believes this years team are way ahead of last year and way ahead of the low expectations that are surrounding the...