On Saturday, we discussed the most important Detroit Lions players this week in order to come away from Week 7 with a key victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now it’s time to turn that conversation on its head.
The Buccaneers are a really, really solid team that has gone 5-1 to start the year. You can dissect those victories and point to their overall point differential of just +14 to try and discredit them, but they’ve overcome a lot already this season, and it points to their strong and resilient roster.
So let’s discuss the players on the Buccaneers whom the Lions need to be paying the closest attention to.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Buccaneers player is the biggest threat to a Lions victory?
My answer: Obviously, the first place to go in any of these conversations is quarterback. Baker Mayfield has willed Tampa to several of these wins, and he’s playing at an MVP level. But if we continue to include quarterbacks in these discussions, it gets pretty boring. Let’s broaden our scope.
Elsewhere on offense, the Bucs have Sterling Shepard. While we await the injury fate of rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka and veteran Mike Evans, it’s worth pointing out that Shepard, a 10-year veteran, is still a very productive player for Tampa. In six games, he’s produced 19 catches, 242 yards, and 11 first downs—all three of those marks rank second on the team. He’s a reliable target that Mayfield will commonly find on third down, and his experience will make him a tough matchup against whoever the Lions will be trotting out there to replace their depleted secondary.
On defense, the Buccaneers have a handful of guys who could threaten a Lions win. First and foremost is defensive tackle Vita Vea. He’s been one of the best interior pass rushers in football for several years now, and he was an absolute terror the last time these two teams met. Frank friggin’ Ragnow recorded just a 33.7 pass blocking grade opposite Vea last year, with Ragnow and Graham Glasgow ceding five and six pressures, respectively, that game alone. Vea was only responsible for four pressures that day, but much like Alim McNeill, Vea’s presence helps his teammates. For example, edge defender Yaya Diaby produced seven pressures in that game—the second-highest total in his career.
Now Vea won’t have to face Ragnow. Instead, he gets Glasgow in the middle, sandwiched by two inexperienced guards. That is terrifying.
Which Buccaneers players are you concerned about taking over this game? Scroll down to the comment section and let us know!
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