Lions-Bucs recap: Detroit can’t overcome ugly start, lose 7th straight

The Detroit Lions dropped their seventh game in a row, as they were downed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-17. Detroit tried to make it a game after one of the ugliest starts you’ll ever see, but David Blough threw a late pick-six that erased any chance at a big comeback.

Here’s how it all happened.

First quarter

The Buccaneers had the ball first, but Jahlani Tavai made sure it wasn’t for long. Playing in place of starting linebacker Jarrad Davis, Tavai picked off Jameis Winston right around midfield.

Unfortunately for the Lions, however, they quickly went three-and-out and punted away the good field position.

The Bucs would respond quickly with two big plays to receiver Breshad Perriman. First, Winston found him for 22 with Amani Oruwariye in coverage. A few plays later, Perriman beat Rashaan Melvin for an easy 34-yard touchdown. 7-0 Buccaneers.

Detroit’s offense continued to look lifeless, as David Blough missed Kenny Golladay on a potential third-down pickup, and the Lions were forced to punt again. This time, Sam Martin booted a kick that was muffed and bounced out of bounds directly at the Bucs’ 1-yard line.

But Detroit’s defense gave up another big play that got Tampa out of the jam. Chris Godwin slipped behind Tavon Wilson and Jahlani Tavai in zone and took it for 51 yards, down to Detroit’s 33-yard line. On the very next play, Scotty Miller snuck behind rookie safety Will Harris for the 33-yard score. 14-0 Buccaneers.

Blough answered with another three-and-out, and the rout was on. Winston completed a 25-yard pass on the first play of the next drive as the first quarter came to a merciless end:

Second quarter

The Lions defense would get a stop to start the second quarter, but it would matter as Detroit went three-and-out yet again on offense. The Bucs piled on with a 25-yard touchdown after Perriman beat Oruwariye again. 21-0 Bucs.

Thanks to a handful of catches from Danny Amendola, the Lions finally got on the board, but had to settle for a 44-yard field goal. 21-3 Bucs.

Detroit’s defense would get a stop thanks to a Devon Kennard sack. That would set up the Lions to get one more opportunity to get points before the half. However, Detroit would quickly go three-and-out, and we’d take the 21-3 score into halftime.

Third quarter

It looked like David Blough was going to get into a rhythm to start the second half, but a third down pass sailed over Amendola’s head and right into the hands of Andrew Adams (yes, that Andrew Adams).

Chris Godwin pulled in a 38-yard pass, but that’s all the Bucs could muster on the drive. It was still good enough for a field goal, though. 24-3 Bucs.

If there was any quit in the Lions, Danny Amendola certainly wasn’t guilty of it. Amendola pulled in a ridiculous 46-yard catch, setting the Lions up at the Buccaneers’ 6-yard line.

A few plays later, Wes Hills would punch it in for his first career NFL touchdown. 24-10 Bucs.

Detroit defense—despite injuries to Darius Slay and Devon Kennard—would eventually get another stop, and suddenly, David Blough found his groove on offense. First, he found Kenny Golladay for 26 yards, then followed it up with a 46-yard bomb to Chris Lacy. Detroit managed to get down to the 1-yard line by the end of the third quarter.

Fourth quarter

Wes Hills punched it in from the 1-yard line for his second score of the game. 24-17 Bucs.

The Bucs were able to drive into Lions territory, but their 54-yard field goal attempt that would have pushed it to a two-score game, Audible Dong’d off the left upright and the score stayed within one touchdown.

The Lions were inching ever nearer to a wild 21-point comeback, but David Blough put a halt to that. After moving the Lions into Bucs territory, Blough threw an out-route to Amendola, but Sean Murphy-Bunting jumped the route and took it for a pick-six. 31-17 Bucs.

Blough would nearly throw two more picks on the next drive, but, instead, they simply turned the ball over on downs. The Bucs would tack on an extra touchdown, just for fun. 38-17 Bucs.

The Lions have now lost seven in a row and sit at 3-10-1. They’ve now lost 10+ games in back-to-back season for the first time since 2009-10. The positive spin, however, is that the Lions remain in the hunt for a top-2 pick, as the Giants got their third win of the season. That being said, the Lions will currently remain fifth in draft order... for now.

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Preseason

The Detroit Lions enter Week 15 with their future as bleak as uncertain as it’s been in quite some time. They’ve lost nine of their last 10, their star quarterback is dealing with a serious back injury, and the franchise is barreling towards back-to-back seasons with at least 10 losses for the first time since they pulled their way out of 0-16.

While many had presumed head coach Matt Patricia’s job was safe, seeing as he was only in Year 2 of a rebuild—or whatever you want to call it—doubt is starting to creep in now that the team is not showing any clear signs of improvement. It doesn’t help that former players are now revealing a pattern of toxic culture from last year’s squad.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on the other hand, are starting to give their fans something to be excited about. While their season, too, will end without any postseason hopes, they are winners of three straight and head coach Bruce Arians has already helped the team eclipse their win total from last year.

Will these teams continue their trajectory through Week 15, or can the Lions pull off a home upset and end their skid? Here’s how to watch Sunday’s game.

How to watch Lions-Buccaneers

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field — Detroit, MI
TV: FOX
Week 15 TV Map: Courtesy of 506 Sports here
Announcers: Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth, Jennifer Hale
Online streaming: Yahoo Sports app
Local radio: WJR-AM NEWS TALK 760
Radio announcers: Dan Miller, Lomas Brown
Odds: Bucs by 3.5