The Buccaneers pulled off the upset and finally defeated the Detroit Lions after losing in their previous two meetings last season. It was a defensive battle, which was surprising, given how talented these two offenses are. The Bucs were in trouble early when they couldn't stop Aiden Hutchinson. Hutchison took full advantage of Luke Goedeke being out and recorded an astonishing four sacks in the first quarter alone. He would finish the game with 4.5 sacks as the Bucs later learned to double-team him. The Bucs forced some big stops on defense and even picked off Goff twice. It was a huge day for a defense that, going into the game, was significantly injured and was thought to give little resistance to Detroit. That proved wrong, as the Lions scored zero fourth-quarter points, and the Bucs secured the statement win.
Defense Wins Championships
The Buccaneers defense stepped up big time on Sunday by shutting down the Lions' passing game. Even after missing Bryce Hall and Antoine Winfield Jr., the Buccaneers' defensive backs had an incredible game. Zyon McCollum, who received a concussion during the Commanders' game, was cleared to play just hours before kickoff. McCollum seemed perfectly okay as he intercepted Goff on his first passing play of the game. He also had four pass deflections and looked like the player the Bucs have been waiting to see since he came out of college. Then, later in the fourth quarter, as the Lions drive down the field about to take the lead, Christian Izien intercepts the ball inside the Bucs' ten-yard line. It was a massive play that ensured the Bucs win. Izien stepped up to the plate this game, playing shutdown corner. He had two pass deflections and an interception. Izien terrorized Goff along with the other corners. Jared Goff finished the game with a minuscule 36.4 quarterback rating on 55 passing attempts. Along with the two interceptions, the defense had nine pass breakups. Outstanding perimeter defense all day for the Bucs is a fundamental change from last year. Last season, the Bucs struggled to stop anything in the passing game, and it looked like more was to come this season, but so far, the Bucs have proven many people wrong. If they continue to play like this, the sky's the limit for this defense.
Though the Bucs didn't sack the Lions once this game, they still made life hard for the quarterback. Jared Goff was hit ten times on Sunday. Yaya Diaby came up big again, recording six pressures in the afternoon. Diaby still doesn't have a sack this season, but his presence is well-known by quarterbacks. Diaby made Goff uncomfortable all day by forcing him to get rid of the ball quickly and making off-platform throws. Vita Vea also forced pressures as usual, but he went down with a knee injury late in the third quarter. Thankfully, the injury appears to be a grade two MCL sprain, and the Bucs list him as day-to-day, with the potential of playing next week. The Bucs have already been playing without fellow interior defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, so the last thing they need is for Vea to miss some time. Regardless of Vea's status, the Buccaneer's interior defensive line depth is being tested, and they'll need to create some stops to continue this defensive dominance.
Captian Mayfield
Baker followed his week one MVP performance by having another great game against a tough Lions defense. Though he didn't light up the stat box, he still had many gutsy plays that led the Bucs to victory. Mayfield had 185 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and an interception on the day. He also led the team in rushing with 34 yards and one rushing touchdown. Mayfield continues to surprise us with his legs this season. He has shown some elite agility and movement skills that the Bucs haven't seen in a quarterback in a long time. Mayfield's ability to escape the pocket and create time for his receivers was evident again on Sunday. He even showed off an elite juke move to make a defender miss. Baker even called his own number eleven yards out from the endzone and took a QB draw to the house. Mobile quarterbacks are the future, and if you combine that with Mayfield gunslinger mentality, you've got quite the weapon.
The Bucs have some work to do in the pass-blocking game, as Baker was sacked five times. Much of this has to do with Goedeke's absence and the outstanding play of Aiden Hutchinson. However, Baker can not be brought down five times. He is the leader of this offense, and they need to keep him safe if they want to keep winning. It helps that Baker, throughout the day, evaded pressure with his legs, but that's still unnecessary for him to do. Baker shouldn't be taking so many hits this early in the season and shouldn't continue to run for his life. Thankfully, Goedeke should be good to return soon after dealing with a concussion this week, so hopefully, the protection improves.
Feed Irving
The Bucs rushing attack was underwhelming this week. Baker Mayfield being your leading rusher with 34 yards isn't exactly what the Bucs offense had in mind going into this game. That said, I saw again that Bucky Irving was the clear number-one running back. Bucky Irving had far from a spectacular game, but he was still more productive than Rachaad white despite receiving fewer carries. Irving is just more twitchy to me. He runs with a purpose and looks like he might break loose for a touchdown anytime he has the ball. Irving had seven carries for twenty-two yards. It's not ideal, but it is way more efficient than White, who averaged only 1.8 yards per carry. I understood keeping him in for his pass-catching ability, but he only had one catch for five yards in the game. Rachaad's a great player, but you must hand the keys to Bucky Irving. Irving will only get better with time this season, and I think he's the better back right now.
Through two weeks, Irving is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. White is averaging about two yards per carry. This is what we saw last year from White, and it's why the Bucs had the worst running game in the league last season. That's not to say White shouldn't receive any carries because I think he still has a vital role in this offense. I believe Irving should take the majority of handoffs, though. White should always be in there on third downs, and he can still get some carries to help bring the load off Irving. Irving fits better in this offensive run scheme. He's a great zone runner because that's what he ran in college. I hope Rachaad White can also improve as the season goes on, but RB1 is Bucky Irving for now.
Up Next: The Denver Broncos
The Bucs have been spectacular out of the gate and have all the makings of a playoff team. They jave to keep winning. They can continue their march toward the Super Bowl by taking one week at a time. They have done outstandingly so far, and if they keep playing like this, not many teams will be able to beat them. The Bucs have two home games in the next two weeks as they'll face the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. The Broncos, in particular, should be an easy game for the Bucs, but they must remember not to play down to their opponent. The Broncos have struggled mightily so far, but that doesn't mean you should treat them lightly.
Rookie Bo Nix has shown flashes of talent, and it can be only a matter of time before he breaks out. The Bucs' defense is still banged up and will most likely miss their star defensive lineman, Vita Vea. Luckily for the Bucs, they have some strong defensive linemen and a strong defense in general. If the Bucs perform the same as they have been, I expect no problems against the Broncos next week.
Final Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Detroit Lions 16
Bastable's Three Stars
1st Star: Chris Godwin (7 Rec, 117 Yards, 1 TD)
2nd Star: Zyon McCollum (6 Tackles, 4 PD, 1 INT)
Third Star: Christian Izien (9 Tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT)
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