Alex Anzalone Highlights: Recapping some of the biggest plays from the new Buccaneers linebacker’s time with the Lions
The Buccaneers are hoping he can make some of these plays in Tampa Bay, that’s for sure.
It was absolutely integral for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to find a veteran linebacker who can do everything on the field and they certainly found one in Alex Anzalone.
The Buccaneers signed Anzalone to a two-year, $17 million deal during the first days of free agency and while nothing has been confirmed at the moment, the idea is he’ll either start next to Lavonte David or replace him.
As with any new player, it’s always fun to go back and look at some of the biggest plays from their career. Anzalone spent time with both the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions before joining the Buccaneers, but really earned his keep during his time in Detroit.
So, let’s go back and take a look at five of Anzalone’s biggest plays with the Lions and what they mean for the Buccaneers.
1. 2021: Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were up, 16-14, in the fourth quarter facing a 2nd 7. With the ball at the Lions 42, they were just a couple of yards away from being in range for Justin Tucker to kick a field goal and extend the lead by three points, at minimum.
Anzalone came through and dropped Lamar Jackson for a three-yard loss that forced the Ravens into a 3rd and 10. It was a clutch play simply in terms of the situation, but sacking Jackson takes its own luck and ability that many players haven’t had over the years.
Now in a must-pass situation, the Lions were able to play a step ahead and it resulted in an Amani Oruwariye interception. Jared Goff and Co. then drove down the field on the next drive and kicked a field goal to go up, 17-16.
The Ravens would go on to win the game on a last-second field goal, but Anzalone’s sack was the catalyst that put them in position to beat Baltimore.
I scoured the internet and socials to find a video of this play, but I unfortunately couldn’t. However, I found clips of the following plays so everyone will have a visual to go with the description.
2. 2022: Week 3 vs. Minnesota Vikings
So, the Lions are actually leading in this scenario, up 24-14 with 14:28 left in the game. They are trying to put the final nails in the Vikings’ coffin and Anzalone helped by sacking Kirk Cousins for about an eight-yard loss.
The set up and third and extremely long that the Vikings, predictably, couldn’t convert. Unfortunately, the Vikings managed a crazy comeback and eventually won the game, 28-24. Still, Anzalone’s sack came at a great time and had the Lions on track to finish the deal before they didn’t.
Regardless, the cool part about Anzalone’s sack is you can tell once he knows to blitz once the running back starts running his route. Odds are he counted the protectors, saw that, and then knew to go for Cousins because there wouldn’t be any blockers in his way.
It’s a great example of his awareness and intelligence, which will definitely help the production at linebacker for the Buccaneers.
3. 2022: Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills
Similar to the Ravens game, the Bills were up by a few points and driving in Lions territory. Only with Buffalo, Josh Allen and Co. had made it all the way to the 10-yard line and had a goal-to-go situation on their hands.
There was a little more than 10 minutes to go in the third quarter, so a touchdown would’ve made the Lions’ lives very hard in terms of a comeback.
They didn’t have to worry about a 10-point deficit, or even a six-point deficit, because Malcom Rodriguez made a super-athletic play by launching himself into the air and deflecting Allens’ pass. Anzalone used his awareness to track down the ball and pull it in for the interception, ending the drive right then and there.
Anzalone’s interception was more of right-place-right-time, but still, the fact he finished the play and the fact the Bills were in goal-to-go certainly warrants a nod on this list. It’s also worth mentioning he has interceptions off two former MVPs – that’s something to brag about.
You can watch the play, right here.
4. 2023: Week 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Now, this is a lead the Lions managed to protect and a big reason why is because of Anzalone. He recorded not one, but two sacks within about two minutes of each other on the same drive that wiped out any chance of a Raiders comeback.
The Lions were up, 26-14 with 9:10 left in the game. Anzalone’s first sack came when the Raiders had the ball and a first and 10. He came flying through untouched and took Garopplo down for the sack.
That created a 2nd and 17, where Garoppolo was sacked again, setting up a 3rd and 28. He was able to find one of his receivers for an 18-yard gain, which left the Raiders with a 4th and 10 at their own 36.
That ended in an Anzalone sack that killed the drive and it sure was impressive. He had to work a lot harder for the second sack, but that’s what made it so impressive. Anzalone immediately collided with left tackle Kolton Miller and running back Josh Jacobs –in what was essentially a double team– and fought through the contact, plus Jacobs’ subsequent blocking attempts to corral Garoppolo and take him down.
Todd Bowles is going to have a ton of fun blitzing this guy.
5. 2023: Week 2 vs. Seattle Seahawks
This play is just wild in itself and it showcases Anzalone’s underrated speed. I mean, the dude is fast and it’s on perfect display in this play.
The key with this sack is it not only killed the drive, but it put the Seahawks in horrible field position to where the Lions started the subsequent possession at the 50 thanks to a 17-yard punt return from Khalif Raymond. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson had to boom his punt in order to avoid handing the Lions great field position, which gave Raymond the room to operate and put the Lions in a great spot.
Goff and the offense drove down for the game-tying field goal and Riley Patterson made the 38-yard attempt. Who knows if that happens if Anzalone doesn’t close this play out.
According to our own Mike Payton who covers the Lions, this play caused the fans at Ford Field to record one of the highest decibel ratings of all-time. That shows you just how big this play was.