Buccaneers prepared for ‘battle-hardened’ Lions in NFC clash | Sporting News United Kingdom
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers understand they’ll be stepping into a storm in Week 7 as they head to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions, who are hungry for redemption after falling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Tampa Bay sitting at 5-1 and Detroit at 4-2, this matchup carries major playoff seeding implications, as both teams remain in contention for the NFC’s top spot. The last time the Buccaneers faced the Lions on the road, they escaped with a 20-16 victory in Week 2 of last season, leaving Todd Bowles’ squad with good memories of that trip.
However, this year’s Lions team looks different with new coordinators in place. When asked about Detroit’s current roster, Bowles didn’t hesitate to offer praise.
“Same as before,” Bowles said. “Loaded with talent, extremely well-coached, and tough as nails. They’ve got playmakers at every position. It’s always a tough environment to play in up there. They’re battle-hardened, physical up front on both sides, and disciplined all around.
“They can make plays in the secondary, their receivers can stretch the field, and they’ve got a dangerous one-two punch at running back. So yeah, it’s going to be a real test for us.”
Basically, they do just about everything well. Point taken, Todd.
Buccaneers look to prove Super Bowl credentials in Detroit
Through six weeks, Tampa Bay has built a strong following of believers in its Super Bowl potential, while skeptics still remain.
How can the Buccaneers prove they belong among the league’s elite? By beating the Lions on their home turf. That’s no easy feat, but this Tampa Bay squad has the tools to challenge Detroit head-on.
With Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and potentially Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka sidelined, quarterback Baker Mayfield may have to rely on lesser-known targets — a formula that already worked in their win over the San Francisco 49ers.
If Tampa Bay can pull off a victory in Detroit, it would send a powerful message to the rest of the NFL — that the Buccaneers are legitimate contenders and a serious threat in the 2025 season.
