Every NFL matchup carries its share of drama, and that was exactly the case when the Detroit Lions faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, October 20, during Monday Night Football. One of the game’s most disputed moments came early in the fourth quarter, when a Buccaneers fourth-down conversion was suddenly overturned.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell issued a challenge on the fourth-down play, which was initially ruled unsuccessful. However, officials took an extra look at the spot of the ball. After reviewing the footage, referees determined that Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton was short of the first down marker. To the surprise of many, Campbell’s challenge and timeout were restored, and Detroit gained possession deep in Buccaneers territory.
Ford Field erupted in celebration, while Tampa Bay players and fans were left stunned. The ruling became a defining moment that shifted momentum firmly toward Detroit. Even after the final whistle, the debate surrounding the call continued to dominate conversations.
Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fans Share Reactions
As soon as officials began the review of the Buccaneers’ fourth-down play, the Lions’ official X account posted, “second opinion,” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji. The message sparked plenty of attention online, with Lions fans thrilled about the ruling. “We finally got a call go our way?” one supporter shouted in all caps. “Now Chiefs fans suddenly hate NFL refs,” joked another. “Looks good to me,” added one more fan.
Not everyone was convinced, though. “Nice break,” one person commented. “After a second look? Never seen that before,” another said. “Didn’t know you could challenge two parts of the same play,” one user complained. “Guess rules don’t apply to the Lions,” another fan remarked.
Ultimately, the decision favored Detroit and proved to be a pivotal moment in a hard-fought contest. The Lions went on to secure a decisive 24-9 victory at Ford Field.
Shortly after the final whistle, Ryan Heckman of The Pewter Plank wrote that “the refs royally screwed the Buccaneers on a late Lions challenge during MNF.”
It was a statement win for Detroit — and an even bigger night for running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The rookie made NFL history as just the 10th player ever to record at least 135 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a single game, according to the team’s official account. The last to do so was Chris Johnson back in 2009. Gibbs reached that historic mark with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Before kickoff, quarterback Jared Goff led the NFL in both passing touchdowns (14) and completion percentage (75.9%), as reported by Christian Gonzales of CBS Sports in a feature published Sunday, October 19.
When the dust settled, both the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers stood at 5-2 on the season. The Lions now head into their bye week, while the Buccaneers will face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 26, before getting a week of rest themselves.
