On Detroit’s next drive, Jameson Williams worked his way over the Bucs defense on a vertical route for a 50-yard gain. A roughing the passer penalty by Tampa Bay put the Lions in first and last position. After an incomplete pass by Williams on third down, Jake Bates kicked a 22-yard field goal. On the Bucs’ next possession, Hutchinson pulled off a sack trick on Mayfield on third down, quickly winning one-on-one and setting up a subsequent punt.
The Lions then marched down the field as Goff found the soft spot in the zone and connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a six-yard gain. The home team got close to the end zone when Lavonte David recorded an open-field tackle on Gibbs on third down, forcing Bates to make a 35-yard field goal that tied the score at six.
Godwin became the catalyst on the next drive, as Mayfield rolled out of the pocket twice and found the RAC artist for 17 and 11 yards – both of which resulted in first downs. It was only fitting that Godwin capped off the drive with a touchdown. Mayfield hit Godwin down the left sideline for a 41-yard touchdown, giving the Bucs a 13-6 lead. From the slot, Godwin delayed his release so the defender thought he was breaking inside, then turned on the jets on the perimeter as the DB took the bait.
On the next drive, Jordan Whitehead forced an incomplete pass across the middle of the field and a pass breakup by Christian Izien on third down forced the Lions to punt. The Lions defense tightened up late in the second quarter when Brian Branch intercepted Mayfield’s pass intended for Mike Evans at the Tampa Bay 44-yard line. The Lions were down seven before halftime and were unable to score. Detroit’s offense had 12 men on the field, forcing a 10-second runoff to end the second quarter.
After halftime, St. Brown gained 20 yards and a roughing the passer penalty against the Bucs gave Detroit another 15 yards. On the next play, Williams gained 15 yards on a reverse. A three-yard pass to David Montgomery on third down forced Bates’ 32-yard field goal. The Bucs followed with a three-and-out when Hutchinson fired from the side and Mayfield inflicted his fourth sack and forced a punt.
On the Lions’ next drive, a tackle by Jordan Whitehead on Gibbs set up second-and-14. On the next play, Goff connected with St. Brown for a 17-yard gain, and Montgomery finished the 12-play, 68-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle to make the score 16-13. On the next possession, Mayfield showed off his running and cutback skills on the ground. On the third down, the signal-caller rounded the right tackle for an 11-yard gain. On the next play, Mayfield was in the end zone and stretched his arm across the goal line after an 11-yard run up the middle. The courageous quarterback carried the team on his shoulders and spurred the club into opposing territory to a 20-16 lead. The Lions responded with a punt after an incomplete pass from Goff to Kalif Raymond on third down.
The next drive was halted by a Hutchinson sack of Mayfield on third down, the edge rusher’s fifth. The Lions marched down the field on the following drive after a 24-yard run by Gibbs put the club in favorable field position, but the Bucs’ Christian Izien intercepted a deep lob at the Tampa Bay 9-yard line and carried the interception back 18 yards to the 27. The Bucs could not capitalize on the advantage with points and punted after an incomplete pass from Jalen McMillan.
On the Lions’ next drive, an 18-yard gain by Raymond and a 9-yard gain by St. Brown on out routes got things moving, but a crucial tackle by Tykee Smith that lost Gibbs on second down set up third-and-7. After Sam LaPorta fell short on third down, the Lions tried it on fourth down and Gibbs broke free for a 23-yard gain. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka dropped Gibbs in the open field and lost four yards after a quick screen pass on first down, and after stops by Jamel Dean and SirVocea Dennis, the Lions tried it on fourth down. The home team failed to make it to the end zone after Whitehead and Izien stopped Gibbs in the red area just before first down. Jake Camarda then punted the ball to the Detroit 47-yard line and it was carried back nine yards. The Bucs defense stopped the Lions’ comeback attempt and a week two win over the Lions.
