*Written before 10/20*
This Monday Night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are traveling up to Michigan to take on the Detroit Lions. With the Bucs at 5-1 and the Lions at 4-2, it’s gearing up to be a great game, with 2 of the best teams in the league.
The Buccaneers are coming off a big win against the 49ers and are on a hot streak. Their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is playing the best football of his life and is a contender in the MVP race. The Buccaneers are one of the best teams, if not the best team, in the league, and are looking to continue their great start to the season with a win against Detroit.
The Lions had a rough offseason. They lost both of their coordinators, a significant part of their successful season last year, and had mixed expectations entering this season. With most of their offensive and defensive core returning, though, they have also had a solid start to this season. Jared Goff is playing well, and their defense is looking better than last year’s. A win over a tough Tampa Bay team would show this team is legit and would be a big confidence booster for the Lions.
In the first quarter, I predict the Lions will start fast with a good kickoff return, starting their drive at their own 40. Jared Goff will lead them down the field with some chunk completions to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and the Lions will punch in a touchdown off a David Montgomery score. Jake Bates will make the extra point, making the score 7-7. The Buccaneers will respond right away, though, with Rashaad White setting them up with a big run, and Baker Mayfield will find Emeka Egbuka for a touchdown. Chase McLaughlin will knock down the extra point to tie the game, 7-7.
The Bucs will get the ball to start the second quarter. With most of their receivers hurt, some backups will have to step up. Tez Johnson will be one of them and will catch a big touchdown on a dime from Baker Mayfield, making the score 14-7. The Lions will go 3 and out, and Tampa Bay will get the ball again at the end of the half. Baker will have a solid scramble and a nice completion to his tight end, Cade Otton. That will set them up in field goal range, and McLaughlin will sink a field goal to make the score 17-7, Buccaneers.
To start the 3rd quarter, the Lions will have a nice drive getting them into the red zone. They won’t be able to punch it in the endzone and will only come away with 3 points, as Jake Bates will hit a field goal, making the score 10-17. That will be the only score of the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter will be a defensive battle with no team able to score. Both defenses will come away with some big turnovers, but in the end, Tampa Bay will win 17-10.
