The Freight Train Lions
October 12th, 2023
Yeah, the Lions are not an iconic NFL franchise.
In fact, they’re the opposite.
The Bucs’ Sunday opponent has a long history of misery. The Bucs had The Lost Decade (twice); the Lions have had worse.
But now the Lions are good really good. Joe trembles typing that this edition of the Lions has won 12 of its last 15 games. The three losses on that run are by a combined 17 points.
Some analysts call the 2023 Bucs “a tough out” because of their stoud defene and the talent pool across the roster. Well, if the Bucs are a tough out, then the Lions are that and more. They look legit with a seasoned quarterback enjoying the comfort of a second season in the offense — and a running game.
Joe loves where the Bucs are as a team, but it sort of feels like the Bucs are a half-season behind Detroit in the evolution of their team under Todd Bowles. Popular third-year Lions head coach Dan Campbell is in Year 3 of his reign. He started in 2021 with a 3-13-1 record. Then leverything came together halfway through last season.
Joe sees a freight train coming in the Lions, but Joe is confident Detroit will have a few hiccups this season. Why not Sunday?
The Bucs should be more than prepared coming off a bye week and, frankly, this game could have serious playoff tiebreaker implictations. There’s no reason for the Bucs to come out flat.
October 12th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Kinda scared of this game. I watched them Lions last Sunday. Bowlws will have to dial up a few blitzes early. Both teams are physical and hit hard. Detroit has no quit whatsoever in them. Prepare for an injury or 2 in this one. Bucs by 3.
October 12th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
On any given Sunday…………..
October 12th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Rain is forecast. Might be a slogfest (sic) in the trenches.
October 12th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
I’ve got a feeling that this will be a Cardiac Bucs win, and a dogfight to boot! Go Bucs!!
October 12th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
Keys to Victory:
1. 1 Dimensional. Get up by two scores early and turn Detroit into a passing team
2. Pass Heavy Offense. Detroit’s secondary is banged up. Don’t let up
3. Blitz Packages. DL will be stonewalled in 1 on 1s. Need to be creative to get pressure
October 12th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
L F G !
October 12th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
I think we can beat the lions because they lost to the Seahawks so they’re not a great team like the Eagles or 49ers
October 12th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
After looking at a few blogs and forums it seems the Lions fans feel this is a winnable game but they are concerned it is a trap game for them. They are misinformed about certain aspects of the Bucs defense but they know the Bucs don’t have a strong running game.
October 12th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
“Rain is forecast. Might be a slogfest (sic) in the trenches.”
Hey Roy Leep…check again
October 12th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
They beat the snot out of the Panthers, Packers, and Falcons, lost to Seattle, beat a KC not so clicking offense. It’s not out of question the Bucs can make this interesting.
October 12th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
Bucs should put up a picture of Bobby Layne in visitors locker room at RayJay
October 12th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
VV… “Does this jersey make me look fat” lol
October 12th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
I’m hoping what they learned to do to Kamira in the last game will continue in this one. GO BUCS!
October 12th, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Goff and the Lions about to get punched in the mouth. Bucs win 24-13
October 12th, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Boss…ROFL
October 12th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Dude, I’m a writer so I totally get typos. But this piece looks like you took a gigantic bong hit before the fourth paragraph.
*stout
*defense
*”Third year coach is in year three”?
*everything
*implications
October 12th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
We’re more than a half year behind them Joe. Like you said, they’ve won 12 of their last 15. We haven’t played 5 games as an offense yet. Hope we can keep building like they have. I don’t think we win this one, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we did win it. Go Bucs!
October 12th, 2023 at 5:01 pm
Pray tell, what is this stoud defene you speak of?
October 12th, 2023 at 6:10 pm
This game is looking very, very good. I sure hope Canales came up with some new wrinkles. Bowles too. How is Goff when blitzed?
October 12th, 2023 at 11:24 pm
The Bucs are behind the Lions schedule? What?! The Lions were rebuilding from scratch after years of futility. The Bucs still have a roster full of dudes that won a Super Bowl. This is a ridiculous comparison. If anything, the Lions are trying to get to where the Bucs have been recently, with multiple playoff berths.
October 13th, 2023 at 2:04 am
Stop the run, put big pressure on Goff, and protect the football and we can win this one.
Go Bucs!
October 13th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Go bucs
October 13th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Sold my tickets to Lions fan….
October 14th, 2023 at 5:13 am
Yep the Lions sucked for years but they’re a team now. If anyone underestimates them now they’ll be chalking up a loss.