NFL Game of the Week preview: Lions vs. Buccaneers

In Week 7 of NFL action, the 4-2 Detroit Lions will face the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both Tampa Bay and Detroit have emerged as Super Bowl contenders, with the Buccaneers leading the NFC South and Detroit just one game behind the Green Bay Packers.

This crucial NFC matchup pits two heavyweights against each other. In Week 6, Tampa Bay won its second-straight game against the 49ers 30-19.

The story of this relentless Bucs offense revolves around Baker Mayfield — the NFL’s fourth leading passer, with 1,539 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception.

Mayfield has done it without his top receivers, as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have missed time. In their absences, rookie Emeka Egbuka has risen to the call. Egbuka currently leads all rookies with 469 yards (fourth-best in the NFL) and five touchdowns (fifth-best in the NFL).

Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him in last week’s contest. He is listed as questionable for Monday’s game. Chris Godwin and running back Bucky Irving are each doubtful on Tampa Bay’s injury report.

Evans is questionable with a hamstring injury. If Evans, Egbuka and Godwin all miss time, Tampa Bay will lean on rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, who compiled 45 yards and a touchdown last week.

The Buccaneers have scored 25+ points in their last four games. This will be a sure challenge for a Lions defense that has struggled. Detroit has given up 30+ points in three of its five games.

Detroit will play in its second-straight prime-time game following a 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The challenge only grows for Dan Campbell as the Lions are down three cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Avante Maddox (hamstring) and D.J. Reed (hamstring).

In addition to the injuries, safety Brian Branch will be suspended in the wake of his recent postgame altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Despite the defensive absences, Mayfield and the Bucs’ offensive front must keep alert to Aidan Hutchinson. The All-Pro defensive end has racked up six sacks (fourth in the NFL) and four forced fumbles (first in the NFL).

The Lions’ offense has averaged 31.8 points per game—good for second in the league. Jahmyr Gibbs has tallied 390 yards on the ground with four touchdowns. However, he will face a Buccaneers defense that held Christian McCaffery in check, with only 54 yards on 3.4 yards per carry.

Still, Tampa Bay’s defense has allowed 25.2 points per game. The Lions will need to lean on Jared Golf, who has been solid thus far. Golf has spread the wealth to receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has led the way with 44 receptions (third in the NFL), 452 yards (fourth in the NFL) and six touchdowns (first in the NFL).

Based on the analytics, this will likely be a high-scoring game. These are two dynamic offenses set to clash in a Monday Night showdown.

The game will air live on ESPN and ABC at 7:30 p.m. EST on Monday, October 20.

Sam Simonic is a first-year student majoring in print/digital journalism. To contact him, please email sps7381@psu.edu.