DETROIT -- Thank goodness the offense opened with a touchdown to get something out of the ferocious start by the defense.
After opening with a 27-yard score by Amon-Ra St. Brown on the first drive, Detroit’s offense couldn’t capitalize on its dominating defensive showing for a stretch. But then, Jahmyr Gibbs finally broke one, going 78 yards untouched on the halfback draw to put the Lions up 14-0 with 5:51 left in the half.
The Lions lead the Bucs, 14-3, heading into halftime. Tampa Bay hit a long field goal on the final play of the first half.
They got the ball back after another third-down stop on the next series, too. But the offense got hit with an offensive pass interference penalty on Jameson Williams, and couldn’t dig out of the hold. Let’s just say Ford Field wasn’t pleased by a penalty getting picked up, and then one thrown on Williams’ catch.
But the defense came to the rescue one again. Amik Robertson forced a fumble on the first play of the drive on a catch by receiver Sterling Shepard, and Aidan Hutchinson was there for the recovery.
The Lions settled for the field goal, with kicker Jake Bates missing a 54-yard attempt wide left. But there came the defense once again, with cornerback Arthur Maulet ripping the ball from tight end Cade Otton’s grasp for the “I’ll take that” interception.
But Goff threw an interception a couple of plays later, and that was that for the offense.
Gibbs has 107 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards through 30 minutes.
St. Brown is off to a great start, too. The All-Pro wide receiver has four catches for 79 yards and the opening touchdown. Jared Goff is once again as clean as can be passing the ball. The Lions quarterback has completed 11 passes on 13 attempts for 172 yards and one touchdown.
Through the game’s first 20 minutes, the Buccaneers had only one first down and 22 net yards of offense. Detroit’s defense opened with back-to-back three-and-outs, then it held strong after giving up on first down. Mike Evans hit cornerback Rock Ya-Sin for a big gain, but the Bucs opted for the defensive pass interference penalty.
The Lions wasted a couple of prime opportunities to build a lead off of the hot start by their defense. Goff was sacked and lost a fumble in the process to end one drive. Then, the Lions went for it on fourth-and-2 in the red zone. But Goff’s throw for Isaac TeSlaa in the end zone hit the turf, with fans screaming for a penalty flag on that chance.
The game-opening three-and-out stop by the defense was Detroit’s first since Week 16 last year.
One major bright spot for the Lions has been Alim McNeill in his first game in 10 months. McNeill had a pressure on his second snap, bulldozed an offensive lineman into the pocket, and swatted away a third-down pass from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Other bright spots has been the play of linebacker Jack Campbell, and cornerbacks Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin. Campbell is putting together a breakout season, with the football world taking notice. He had a stellar read and stop on a third-down pass to running back Richaad White.
Robertson had himself a big open-field stop on third down, as well. Ya-Sin has been sticky while spending most of his night aligned with Evans. He got hit for the penalty in the first quarter. But Ya-Sin responded with a big third-down pass breakup to end Tampa Bay’s fourth possession of the game.
Heading into the half against Detroit’s short-handed secondary, the Bucs have 3 points, four first downs and 58 net yards of offense. Two of those first downs and 22 yards came in the final 30 seconds.
Campbell and fellow linebacker Derrick Barnes each have sacks. One of Tampa’s first downs through the first 25 minutes was via penalty, so the defense has truly been elite to open Monday night’s game.
Tampa Bay will open the second half on offense. They are back to operating without Evans, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury and concussion.
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