Davy Jones Storage Locker: Week 2 Q&A with Pride of Detroit

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to face the Detroit Lions in Detroit for their first away game of the season, a significant challenge as both teams enter with 1-0 records. Notably, the Lions have won the last two encounters, including ending the Bucs' season in last year's divisional round. To delve deeper into this matchup, we consulted Ryan Mathews of Pride of Detroit for insights on what Sunday's game might entail.

1. Reflecting on the Lions' Narrow NFC Title Loss Last Season:

The Lions addressed a key defensive weakness—the secondary, particularly the cornerback position—during the offseason. They acquired former Tampa Bay player Carlton Davis and nickel cornerback Amik Robertson from the Las Vegas Raiders. Additionally, they traded up in the first round to draft Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold and selected Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw in the second round. While the new unit didn't play together in the preseason and requires time to gel, there were encouraging signs against the Rams. Both Brian Branch and Carlton Davis were in positions to intercept passes, though they didn't capitalize. Arnold, despite some penalties, didn't appear as a typical rookie. Overall, there's optimism that the Lions can make another playoff run, though the unpredictable nature of single-elimination games means anything can happen.

2. Assessing the Lions' Recent Draft Class and Potential 2024 Contributions:

The Lions were proactive in bolstering the cornerback position, selecting Arnold and Rakestraw in the early rounds. On Day 3, they chose a mix of developmental prospects and potential immediate contributors. They drafted offensive lineman Giovanni Manu from the University of British Columbia and Sione Vaki, primarily a safety at Utah but officially drafted as a running back. In the sixth round, they added defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo from LSU and offensive lineman Christian Mahogany from Boston College. Arnold is starting opposite Davis, with Rakestraw as the primary backup, having played snaps in Week 1 due to minor injuries. Vaki saw limited action in two-running-back sets but is expected to contribute mainly on special teams, logging 18 snaps across various phases. Mahogany missed most of training camp due to illness but stayed engaged through virtual meetings, and Wingo played six snaps in Week 1. The potential addition of free-agent signee DJ Reader could impact Wingo's opportunities.

3. Key Positional Matchup to Watch:

Buccaneers' rookie Tykee Smith is manning the slot, where he'll often face the Lions' top offensive weapon, Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Rams' strategy in Week 1 focused on neutralizing St. Brown, limiting him to three catches for 13 yards. However, this approach allowed Jameson Williams to have a standout performance with five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Lions' offense boasts a diverse array of skill players capable of attacking defenses in multiple ways. For instance, Coach Dan Campbell opted for a run-heavy approach in overtime, executing seven runs in eight plays to leverage their powerful offensive line. The Buccaneers have traditionally been strong against the run under Todd Bowles. If they overcommit to stopping the run, the Lions may pivot to play-action passes to exploit that aggressiveness.

4. Buccaneers' Offensive Prospects Against Detroit's Evolving Defense:
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Detroit's defense is still coalescing, with many new faces in new roles. Tampa Bay's best chance lies in attacking through the air. Baker Mayfield appeared comfortable against the Washington Commanders, benefiting from ample time to make decisions and deliver accurate throws. The availability of Marcus Davenport remains uncertain, as he hasn't practiced recently. However, the potential return of DJ Reader could balance that absence. With Buccaneers' right tackle Luke Goedeke still in concussion protocol, Aidan Hutchinson will face a backup for the second consecutive week. Last week, Hutchinson recorded 11 pressures, four quarterback hits, and a sack. Matthew Stafford countered the Lions' pass rush by releasing the ball quickly, averaging a 2.58-second time to throw, the seventh-fastest. Establishing a credible ground threat will be crucial for the Buccaneers to prevent the Lions' pass rush from dominating.

5. Game Outlook and Betting Perspectives:

The betting line opened with the Lions favored by 6.5 points. Following their national television appearance on Sunday Night Football, significant public money shifted toward Detroit. As of Friday, only 15% of bets are on Detroit against the spread, but they account for 67% of the total money wagered. While public sentiment heavily favors the Lions, this game feels like it will be closer than the betting suggests. Ford Field is currently one of the most challenging environments for opposing teams, arguably ranking among the top in the league.

Special thanks to Ryan Mathews for providing these insights!