The Detroit Lions improved to 5-1 on the season with an impressive 20-6 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Detroit’s defense did not allow a touchdown and controlled the game, while the offense made enough key plays to defeat the NFC South leaders in their own building.
Here are some of the takeaways from watching the Week 6 game in real-time.
Lions won on 3rd downs
More than any other relevant game stat or observation can illustrate, the Lions captured this victory thanks to their performance on third downs. Detroit crushed Tampa Bay on both sides of the ball on third downs.
On offense, the Lions converted 9-of-16 third-down attempts. That includes going 6-of-9 in the second half, extending drives and demoralizing the Buccaneers’ defense.
After giving up a successful conversion on the Bucs’ first third-down attempt, Detroit’s defense allowed just one more conversion on the critical down. Tampa Bay finished 2-of-12. The Bucs could not sustain drives when they needed to, thanks to a combination of good Lions defensive pressure and missed opportunities in execution.
Two key plays changed the game
This was a relatively closely-played game. The Lions prevailed in part because of two great individual efforts.
First was running back Craig Reynolds, with perhaps the best block by any Detroit RB in memory. Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn’t come close to scoring the Lions’ first touchdown without No. 13 hustling to make a crushing block. Heck, it’s not even a first down if not for Reynolds making a phenomenal play.
Then came Jameson Williams. As fans populated social media with wonders of if Jamo was even playing, the second-year wideout made his mark. Up 10-3 in the third quarter, Williams exploded past the coverage and did a great job tracking a Jared Goff throw that hung a bit. The 45-yard touchdown made it a two-score game on a day when the Lions defense was playing consistently great.
3 stars of the game
Third star: Alex Anzalone. The Lions LB played a great game, flying all over the formation and making plays. He led Detroit with nine tackles and two pass breakups. Moreover, he always seemed to be in the way of where Tampa Bay’s offense was trying to go.
Second star: Amon-Ra St. Brown. A career-high 12 receptions for 124 yards and the Lions’ first touchdown, with an emphatic assist from RB Craig Reynolds.
First star: Jared Goff. Detroit’s quarterback had a performance that should have national media considering him as an MVP candidate. Completed 30 of his 44 pass attempts for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Four of the incompletions were dropped and three others were deliberately thrown away. Goff has mastered the balance of being aggressive and careful at the same time.
Quick hits
–A moment of praise for both punters. After Tampa Bay’s Jake Camarda landed a gorgeous 63-yard punt out of bounds at the Lions 5-yard line, Detroit’s Jack Fox answered with a coffin corner beauty of his own. They’re two of the elite punters in the league and they showed it on Sunday.
–Baker Mayfield missed some downfield opportunities as the TB quarterback. Early on, he had safety Kerby Joseph torched on two separate plays. The first resulted in Will Harris’ INT off an Isaiah Buggs tip. The second overshot receiver Trey Palmer by about a ball length. Both were touchdowns if they connected. Joseph tightened up his coverage as the game progressed, but he was not sharp early.
–Ben Johnson got way too smart for his own good with the blocking schemes early in the game. Alternate take: Tampa Bay’s speed-based defensive front did a great job attacking and scouting with an extra week to prepare, and I think that needs to be noted. But the overly complex blocking assignments did not work in the run game whatsoever.
–Sam LaPorta had some struggles getting open against Bucs LB Lavonte David, who remains one of the very best off-ball LBs in the NFL. Good learning experience for the rookie, who still managed to catch four passes for 36 yards.
–I’m still hyped up from Craig Reynolds’ block!
–Didn’t mind the decision to punt on 4th-and-2 from the Lions’ 49-yard line in the first quarter. At that point, the offense was struggling and field position was vital. Failing on 4th down there sets up the Bucs at midfield and gives them an early pulse. Playing it safe there was the smart call in my mind.
–The Lions broke up nine passes in the game, including Will Harris’ INT.
–Both teams were assessed five penalties in the game. Offensive holding was not enforced at all against either line. Ask Aidan Hutchinson.
–This week’s individual film study will be on left guard Kayode Awosika, a somewhat surprising starter in place of injured Jonah Jackson. First impression was not positive.
–Seeing all the Honolulu blue in the Raymond James Stadium stands and hearing the “let’s go Lions” chants on the broadcast feed was amazing.
The Lions (finally) won a third quarter
One of the complaints about the Lions 4-1 start was the underwhelming performances the team rolled out in the third quarters of games. Detroit was 25th in offensive points per game in the third quarter and 17th in defensive points allowed right after the half.
Detroit did give up a field goal to the Buccaneers in this one, but the offense woke up and scored a touchdown on a deep shot from Goff to Jameson Williams. The Lions picked up six first downs in the quarter (a season-high) to Tampa Bay’s three. Detroit had another shot at points too, but Riley Patterson’s 52-yard field goal missed wide right.
After a tough, close first half, the Lions couldn’t afford a sleepy third quarter. They went out and seized both the quarter and the game. That’s a very positive development.
