Three Keys for the Detroit Lions to Take Down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions need a bounce-back performance Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they’ll need to execute in three critical areas to get it done at Ford Field.

Coming off a disappointing 30-17 loss to Kansas City, the 4-2 Lions face a Buccaneers squad riding high at 5-1. The Detroit Lions last meeting with Tampa Bay still stings—a Week 2 defeat in 2024 where the Lions dominated every statistical category except the one that matters most: the scoreboard.

Here’s what needs to happen for Detroit to avoid back-to-back losses and get their season back on track.

Unleash the Pass Rush on Baker Mayfield

Remember last year’s Week essential 2 matchup? Aidan Hutchinson put on a clinic with 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. That kind of pressure completely disrupted Tampa Bay’s rhythm, even if the final score didn’t reflect Detroit’s dominance.

Mayfield’s numbers crater when he’s under duress. His accuracy drops significantly, and his decision-making becomes questionable. The Lions need to replicate that formula, and they’re in a good position to do it. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is banged up worse than it was a year ago, and the return of Alim McNeill to Detroit’s defensive front should provide an interior push that’s been missing lately.

Al-Quadin Muhammad has emerged as a reliable edge presence opposite Hutchinson. If both can consistently collapse the pocket, Mayfield won’t have time to exploit Detroit’s patchwork secondary—a secondary missing all four starters from Week 1.

The pressure needs to be relentless. Force Mayfield into rushed throws. Make him uncomfortable. Get him thinking about the rush instead of his receivers downfield.

Dominate the Ground Game

The numbers favor the Detroit Lions significantly here. Tampa Bay’s rushing defense has been vulnerable, allowing 4.1 yards per carry on first down. Meanwhile, Detroit averages 4.5 yards per carry in those same situations—more than a full yard better than the Buccaneers’ anemic 3.3 yards per attempt.

With Bucky Irving dealing with injury concerns and Tampa Bay’s offensive line struggling, the Lions can control the clock and dictate tempo. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery need to get 25-30 combined touches, grinding down the Bucs’ front seven and setting up play-action opportunities for Jared Goff.

This isn’t complicated football. Run the ball effectively on first down, stay ahead of the chains, and force Tampa Bay’s defense to respect the ground game. When the Buccaneers have to commit extra resources to stopping the run, that’s when Goff can pick them apart with quick passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.

Tampa Bay struggles defending the short passing game, ranking last in EPA allowed on quick throws. St. Brown torched them for 119 yards and 11 catches in last year’s meeting, forcing five missed tackles. That blueprint still works.

The offensive line needs to create movement up front. Frank Ragnow and company have to win at the point of attack. If the Detroit Lions can consistently get three or four yards on first down, everything else opens up.

Convert in the Red Zone

Last year’s Week 2 disaster saw the Detroit Lions reach the red zone seven times and score just one touchdown. Seven possessions. One touchdown. That’s not just bad—it’s a statistical anomaly for a team that finished third in red zone touchdown percentage.

Tampa Bay ranked 10th in red zone defense last season but remove that one game and they would’ve dropped to 18th. This year, they’re 28th. The Buccaneers are giving up touchdowns in the red zone at an alarming rate, and the Detroit Lions needs to take advantage.

The Detroit Lions can’t settle for field goals. Not against a team with an offense as potent as Tampa Bay’s. Ben Johnson needs to have his best red zone play-calling performance of the season, and Goff needs to be surgical when the field compresses.