Game Preview: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions (4-1) head South to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers (3-1) in a matchup of top NFC teams.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play host to the visiting Detroit Lions on a day where the Buccaneers will celebrate their storied past by rolling out their creamsicle jerseys.

Both teams enter this one holding the top spot in their respective divisions in the NFC and is sure to be a good one as they battle for ultimate supremacy in the conference to join the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Buccaneers are coming off their bye week and look to be fully healthy entering this one as head coach Todd Bowles informed the media on Friday that star WR Mike Evans will be a full go Sunday following his hamstring injury that he suffered two weeks ago vs. the New Orleans Saints.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Listed As Potential Trade Suitor For Titans All-Pro Running-back

The same can't be said for the Detroit Lions.

Detroit will be entering this one a bit short-handed as three rookies who have been key contributors will likely be out in this one in CB Brian Branch, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, and TE Sam LaPorta (questionable - calf). Even with the injuries starting to amount for the Lions, they will be getting stud wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown back to help out on the offensive side of the ball.

#DETvsTB injury report presented by Henry Ford Health. pic.twitter.com/ojDChiKqaa

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 13, 2023

The matchup to watch in this one will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrappy, bend-don't-break defense going up against the Detroit Lions' potent offense.

The Detroit Lions boast one of the most elite offenses in the game led by Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. They currently rank fourth in the NFL in scoring and fifth in total yards.

BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions

The Buccaneers on the other hand have looked like a top-10 defense in the league this season. This season it has been evident that they are leaning heavily on their defense to create momentum for the team and have gotten back to their roots as one of the best run-stopping teams in the NFL - holding opposing offenses under 100 yards per game (avg. 94.8).

The Tampa Bay defense has also been a stickler for turning over opposing offenses - something head coach and defensive play caller Todd Bowles emphasized coming into 2023. They currently rank top-five in the league in opponents' turnover margin per game, takeaways per game, and opponent interception thrown percentage.

The Buccaneers will need to continue their success of having a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball to open up throwing lanes for Baker Mayfield and Co. The Detroit Lions' defense has improved over the past couple of years, but if the Bucs can get their running game going early and often they should be able to exploit the Lions' D.

There is a ton on the line when it comes to NFC seeding for the playoffs in this one and whichever team comes away with a key conference victory will set themselves up nicely as long as they continue on their upward trajectory the rest of the season.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.

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