Lions Host Buccaneers in Divisional Round Rematch
Detroit, MI – January 21, 2024:
The Detroit Lions are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs for the second consecutive week at Ford Field. The Lions, who secured a Wild Card berth with a thrilling victory over the New York Giants last weekend, are looking to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
The Buccaneers, led by legendary quarterback Tom Brady, are no strangers to the playoffs, having won the Super Bowl just two seasons ago. However, they will be without several key players due to injuries, including wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Leonard Fournette.
The Lions, on the other hand, are relatively healthy and will be looking to capitalize on their home-field advantage. They defeated the Buccaneers 20-6 in a Week 6 matchup in Tampa Bay, and they will be confident in their ability to do it again.
Five Things to Watch Out For:
1. Handling the Blitz:
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles is known for his aggressive defensive style, which includes blitzing the quarterback frequently. The Buccaneers blitzed 40.1 percent of the time this season, which was the third-highest rate in the NFL. The Lions’ offensive line will need to be prepared for this and will need to protect quarterback Jared Goff effectively.
2. Stopping the Run:
The Buccaneers have a strong running game led by running back Rachaad White. White rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. The Lions’ defense will need to be disciplined and physical in order to stop White and keep the Buccaneers’ offense off the field.
3. Generating Pressure on Tom Brady:
Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but he is 46 years old and has shown signs of decline this season. The Lions’ defense will need to generate pressure on Brady and force him into making mistakes. If they can do that, they will have a good chance of winning the game.
4. Exploiting the Buccaneers’ Secondary:
The Buccaneers’ secondary has been a weak spot for the team this season. They have allowed the most passing yards in the NFL and have intercepted just nine passes. The Lions’ passing attack, led by Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, should be able to exploit this weakness and put up some points.
5. Home-Field Advantage:
The Lions have a passionate fan base and Ford Field is one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The Lions will be looking to use their home-field advantage to their advantage and create a hostile environment for the Buccaneers.
Prediction:
The Lions are a slight favorite in this game, and for good reason. They have a strong offense, a solid defense, and they are playing at home. The Buccaneers are a dangerous team, but they are banged up and they will be playing in a hostile environment. I predict that the Lions will win this game and advance to the NFC Championship Game.