The biggest advantage the Lions have over the Buccaneers and why Jared Goff could be in for a big game
The Detroit Lions will host another game at Ford Field this Sunday and it will be another playoff rematch as they welcome in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 1 Jared Goff and the Lions passing game struggled against the Rams defense. After going over the Bucs roster and stats and analytics, that shouldn't be […]
The Detroit Lions will host another game at Ford Field this Sunday and it will be another playoff rematch as they welcome in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In Week 1 Jared Goff and the Lions passing game struggled against the Rams defense. After going over the Bucs roster and stats and analytics, that shouldn't be expected to happen again. Here's why the Bucs secondary gives the Lions their biggest advantage in this game.
Antoine Winfield is out
For starters, the Bucs will be without their All-Pro safety in this one and that is huge. Winfield is one of the best players in the game and with him out, that gives the Lions a chance to do some damage. In Winfield's place will be Tavierre Thomas. He's mostly been a special teams ace, although he has some starting experience.
Carlton Davis is gone
The Bucs lost one half of their cornerback tandem when they traded Davis to the Lions in March. In his place the Bucs would be going with Zyon McCollum if he clears concussion protocol.
You might remember McCollum from last season when he came into the playoff game due to injury and the Lions immediately went after him. He allowed 100% of passes thrown his way that night. One went for a touchdown.
If he can't go, the Bucs do a have a plan that would include undrafted rookie Tyreek Funderburk getting the start and newly signed Keenan Isaac backing him up. This would be Funderburk's first career start and his first regular season game.
Nickel problems
It's been just one game, but both Bucs nickel corners struggled last week. Tykee Smith and Christian Izein spilt the duties and both struggled and allowed a catch on every pass thrown their way.
The Lions need to exploit this right away on Sunday. That means making sure Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta have bounce back games and the Jameson Williams express keeps chugging along.
The Lions seem more likely to make a trade now than ever before
It's really early in the season for the Detroit Lions. I mean it's only Week 2, so it seems crazy to be talking about something like this so early in the year, but the circumstances are just pointing towards it and have been all summer long. The Lions are having some issues in two big […]
