'MNF' takeaways: Stout secondary, explosive Jahmyr Gibbs lead Lions to rout of Bucs

It's the end of an era.

In the first game of what could be the last Monday night doubleheader for the foreseeable future, the Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-9. Here are our initial takeaways from the game between top NFC contenders.

Key takeaway: The NFC might run through Detroit

The Lions looked like the conference's best as they dominated the Buccaneers from the start. Detroit scored an opening-drive touchdown and forced a three-and-out — one of four in the game — on Tampa's first offensive series. It out-gained the Bucs 379-251, holding Tampa to 3.8 yards per play, while producing several of its own explosive plays.

While many expected the Lions to decline after losing both coordinators to head coaching opportunities during the offseason, they're as well-oiled a machine as ever in their fifth season under head coach Dan Campbell. Detroit's been painfully close to reaching a Super Bowl the past two seasons, squandering a 17-point halftime lead in the 2023 NFC championship game and going one-and-done as the 1-seed in last year's playoffs. Those types of heartbreaks could sink a franchise, yet instead of their window closing, these Lions are just as capable of winning it all.

Game MVP: Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs

The third-year running back reminded everyone he belongs in the conversation of best NFL running back with a sublime performance against what had been a solid Buccaneers rush defense. Tampa entered the game allowing 3.7 yards per carry but allowed 164 yards on 32 carries to the Lions.

Gibbs was the central figure of the attack, finishing with 17 carries, 136 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He added three receptions for 82 yards, giving him a career-high 218 yards from scrimmage. ESPN noted that's that most scrimmage yards by a Lions player since Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson's 329-yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.