ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (4-2) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) in a big-time NFC matchup before heading into the bye week.
Here are three burning questions on our mind ahead of the Monday Night Football showdown:
How will Lions handle Tampa Bay’s “blitz fest” defense?
Luckily, the Lions are no strangers to Todd Bowles’ “blitz fest” defense. Offensive coordinator John Morton even worked on Bowles’ staff back in 2017 with the Jets in the same role. They know what’s coming, and while that doesn’t make the task any easier, the familiarity certainly comes into play.
Tampa Bay blitzes 32.6% of the time, ranking as the fourth-highest rate through six games. On top of that unrelenting heat, the Buccaneers are elite at turning those chances into pressures. NFL Pro reports they have converted blitzes into pressures on 56.6% of those chances, the NFL’s second-best rate through six games.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been strong against the blitz, with the highest passer rating (137.1) and completion percentage (77.1%) in those looks. But when the blitzes generate pressures, his numbers dip to a 72.1 passer rating and 40% completion rate.
Something to look for is the potential return of left tackle Taylor Decker on Monday night. Decker practiced twice this week and is said to be feeling better and trending in the right direction. The team’s longest-tenured player has missed the last two games, trying to give his shoulder time to heal.
Through his four games this year, Decker has allowed only one sack (in the opener) and 10 pressures. He’s a trusted veteran and has remained one of the league’s most underrated pass blockers when healthy and in the lineup, though. With Decker in the lineup, it opens up more for Morton and the offense, as they won’t have to dedicate even more blocking resources to the left side of the O-line.
Tampa Bay is getting most of its pressure from edge rushers Haason Reddick (25) and Yaya Diaby (22), and interior defender Vita Vea (16) this season.
Linebacker Lavonte David has blitzed 25 times, while safety Antoine Winfield has been sent 21 times. Diaby makes a lot of noise on blitzes, and SirVocea Dennis is a name to watch on those looks, as well.
Tampa Bay has four players in the top 30 of those with the most blitzes, so it comes from a variety of angles and positions.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to throw hot. You’ve got to have quick answers,” Morton said. “But the biggest thing is, we try to make sure he’s (Goff) protected. Because when he’s protected, he’s deadly. Our guys know, ‘Hey, we’ve got to get the ball in their hands.’
“If it’s third-and-long, we might have to throw something quick so we can get the ball and they get the first down, because we’re pretty good after the catch.”
What might the starting secondary be this week for Detroit?
It’s pretty much a weekly question at this point. Terrion Arnold made his return to practice this week. But the second-year cornerback will have to wait until after the bye week before trying to play again.
Fellow corner D.J. Reed remains on injured reserve for another two games. Brian Branch is suspended for Monday night’s game, and Kerby Joseph is out with a knee injury. Avonte Maddox, who provides versatility at nickelback and safety, will miss another game due to his hamstring injury, too.
It’s safe to project Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin as the outside starting corners. Arthur Maulet picked up some slack in the slot last week in Kansas City. But it was linebackers Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes who played the most snaps on the inside. Expect the Lions to continue using those three-linebacker looks a lot.
It was Thomas Harper to take over for Joseph when the All-Pro safety exited for a stretch against the Chiefs. Erick Hallett II is another name to watch take one of those safety roles due to his versatility. Jammie Robinson was signed to the main roster this week, and the Lions view him as a safety. He could get a chance to replace the other safety spot this week after only a couple of practices.
“Brad (Holmes)’s kept an eye on him for a while, always kind of tracked where he’s at, when he’s been available,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Robinson. “And so, to be able to poach him and get him for a few weeks here, it’ll be good to get a look at him.
“But we do like him. He’s aggressive, pretty tough kid, can play special teams. We think there’s nickel, safety flex -- probably starting with safety. But we like him, yeah. We’ll get a peek at him.”
Will Lions continue to dip into more jumbo looks on the offensive line?
The Detroit Lions haven’t utilized as many jumbo looks with a sixth offensive lineman as they have in previous years. The offensive tackle depth has been an issue, with Jamarco Jones and Giovanni Manu on injured reserve. Dan Skipper opened the year on the practice squad while working through knee injuries.
Trystan Colon saw three snaps as the team’s extra blocker last weekend in Kansas City. It was the first (technically) time they deployed six O-linemen. Colon was a late addition to the main roster, dealing with an elbow injury from training camp. Veteran guard Kayode Awosika saw one snap earlier this season as the sixth offensive lineman, but a penalty nullified the play (a sack allowed).
With Decker having a chance to make his return against the Buccaneers, and Skipper healthy again, those looks could become more of the norm. Also, the Lions like Colon in those looks because he’s a veteran who has played all over the offensive line.
“Well, I think a guy that’s kind of done it. So, if a guy has done it, then it helps,” Morton said. “The unknown is, ‘OK, we don’t know. Let’s try this guy.’ Like, Skip has done it. So, it’s good that they’ve done it; they feel comfortable with it being out there. Especially if you go from a center or a guard, and now you’re out here because you’re basically like a tackle.
“So, I think that’s the comfort zone of that player. His (Colon) ability to be able to do it, I think that’s where it goes, where you decide who’s out there.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.