The Detroit Lions put together a dominant showing on Monday night, earning a convincing 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fueled by an outstanding defensive effort, the team heads into its bye week with renewed confidence and momentum.

Team Resilience on Display

Head Coach Dan Campbell stressed the significance of maintaining a “next man up” mentality across the roster. He praised the poise of players stepping into larger roles, including safeties Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett.

“It’s what we expect here,” Campbell said. “You don’t have to be flawless, just compete and challenge. I love that the game didn’t overwhelm those guys. They came in and battled, and that’s exactly what we want to see.”

Quarterback Jared Goff echoed that mindset while acknowledging Detroit’s 5-2 record. He admitted there’s room for improvement but expressed optimism about upcoming tests, especially the divisional matchup against Minnesota.

“Offensively, we weren’t where we wanted to be tonight,” Goff admitted. “There’s a lot to clean up, but we’ll get it right.”

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs credited the defense for setting the tone, emphasizing how well the team complemented each other on both sides of the ball. “We played great complementary football,” Gibbs said, noting the defense’s huge role in steadying the offense.

Offensive tackle Penei Sewell pointed out that the defensive unit’s performance changed the game’s direction. “Defensively, our guys dominated,” Sewell explained. “There’s still more to improve, and we’ll study the tape tomorrow to tighten things up.”

A Renewed Spark

Defensive tackle Alim McNeill expressed how thrilled he was to be back on the field, describing the home crowd as a source of fresh motivation. “It felt amazing,” McNeill said. “That joy—I’d been missing it. I forgot how much I truly love playing this game.”

His fellow lineman, DJ Reader, credited the team’s persistence and mindset as the key to their success. “Good teams stay resilient,” Reader said. “We’ll fix our mistakes and keep working. This group’s got a lot of heart.”

New Additions, Same Impact

Linebacker Grant Stuard applauded the coaches for smoothly integrating new faces into the defense. “They didn’t flinch,” Stuard said about the revamped secondary. “It was awesome—a reflection of the confidence we built throughout the week.”

Linebacker Derrick Barnes discussed how the team’s commitment to creating turnovers paid off. “We drill it daily,” Barnes stated. “It’s incredible having a defense full of guys who are always hunting for the ball.”

Making Key Plays

Cornerback Arthur Maulet reflected on his second-quarter interception, crediting preparation and film study. “I just reacted and made the play,” Maulet said, emphasizing the defense’s unity.

Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin spoke about the team’s unshakeable belief in each other. “It’s contagious,” he said. “Everyone trusts everyone—we’ve all got each other’s back.”

A Return of Gratitude

Nick Whiteside, who worked hard to return to the NFL, expressed deep appreciation for his opportunity with Detroit. “I’m just beyond grateful,” he said. “Getting another shot is a blessing. God is good all the time.”

Lastly, cornerback Amik Robertson shared how the team played with suspended safety Brian Branch in mind. “We wanted to show love for him,” Robertson said. “We can’t wait to have him back on the field with us.”

With a strong sense of unity and renewed determination, the Lions appear ready to build on this success as they enter their bye week.