DETROIT -- “Wait a minute, who are these guys?”
That was a common phrase while watching the Detroit Lions trot out a secondary featuring newcomers, castoffs and journeymen Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But once again, Dan Campbell’s team turned coach speak into reality, bringing the next-man-up mentality to fruition with a 24-9 Week 7 victory.
That’s right. The Lions held the previously 5-1 Buccaneers and the first-half MVP darling candidate Baker Mayfield to just 9 points, all while missing their top two cornerbacks and three top safeties.
Erick Hallett II and Thomas Harper started at safety.
Come again?
Harper was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders before the season started, getting claimed via waivers in what’s looking like another savvy move by Detroit GM Brad Holmes. Hallett made his NFL debut with six special teams snaps just last week.
Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin started at outside cornerback again. Robertson found new life in the slot after landing in Detroit. But the 5-foot-9 veteran continues to handle anything the Lions throw his way. Ya-Sin has played for four teams in four years, making just one start since 2023.
Then there was Nick Whiteside and Arthur Maulet.
Who’s that now?
Whiteside, a former Saginaw Valley State standout, had appeared in three career games before Monday night. He spent the spring playing in the UFL, before getting cut by the Lions after camp. Maulet, a nine-year pro, hadn’t started since 2023, with the Lions standing as his sixth career team.
The Lions feed off this type of challenge. They savor giving guys a chance in the spotlight. They punch back even harder whenever they get knocked down. And they all pull for each other, with Robertson driven by the desire to let this group of unknown and forgotten names shine.
Robertson rocked a No. 32 Brian Branch jersey in the postgame press conference, and his unheralded teammates stepped in for the suspended safety.
“All I thought about when I was out there is playing for those guys,” Robertson said. “And I told them, even though this may be y’all’s first opportunity, show the world because we heard the noise. We heard all the noise, ‘Secondary, whatever, whatever.’ But those guys went out there and played their hearts out, and I had no doubt in them.”
Each player had a role in Detroit’s stifling defensive showing. And even though the Lions have built an annual NFL contender, they still remain the land of opportunity for those who buy in.
It starts with Campbell and his staff, many of whom have been in their players’ shoes, setting a high standard for anyone on the roster, practice squad included. Heck, Kelvin Sheppard calls it a 69-man roster for a reason. When the staff gets asked about how to replace injuries, they brush it off with what every other football coach says.
Except “next man up” carries weight in Detroit.
The Lions have gotten used to filling defensive holes and relying on unheralded names, and have mastered the art of not looking surprised when it works out.
The defensive line and linebackers played a major role in Monday night’s win. But the defensive backs took full advantage of their opportunity. Maulet stole an interception from the grasp of Bucs tight end Cade Otton. Ya-Sin and Robertson held things down on an island all night long. Hallett led the way with eight tackles. Whiteside relieved Ya-Sin in the second half, knocking away three passes, starring as a replacement of a replacement.
This wasn’t a preseason game. This was a matchup between two of the NFC’s top teams in primetime. As Sheppard told his patchwork secondary, “It’s time to introduce yourself” to the NFL.
“All these guys that people have probably never heard of ... ” Sheppard said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for these guys. It’s a tremendous opportunity. I mean, this could be your one shot. Like you talk about it all the time, these overnight stories and overnight kind of celebrities -- it’s not overnight. It’s just that was the night that they got introduced to the world. These guys have been working for this moment, they’ve been waiting on this moment.
“I just try to remind these guys, ‘It’s not pressure, but this could be your one moment that makes or breaks your NFL career, that changes the trajectory of your family. So go make the most of it. Have fun with it.’”
No pressure, right?
In all seriousness, it’s that type of mentality that breeds this type of performance. Sheppard and Campbell ground these players in the moment, but they make sure to highlight rare opportunities.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers had to fight for every yard in Detroit. They fell into points at the end of the half after punting on their first five series and losing a fumble on their sixth of the first half.
They hit the Lions for a touchdown to open the second half, then punted and turned the ball over on downs three straight times to end the game. Even after carrying the load most of the night, the defense had to dig deep and make one more stop. Tampa Bay went 18 plays for only 56 yards, with Whiteside tight in coverage on a failed fourth-down pass to seal it.
The Lions held the Bucs to 4 of 16 on third down, and 2 of 5 on fourth down. The secondary stayed sticky and active, while the front seven broke the pocket and made life hard on Mayfield.
For those fans who had to double check the roster every other play, don’t worry, you weren’t alone.
Whiteside and Hallett were signed 10 days ago. Maulet went unsigned for more than a month, getting promoted to the Lions’ roster hours before the game. Harper is buried on the depth chart between Kerby Joseph and Branch.
And while this group of unheralded heroes has earned the spotlight, help is on the way.
The Lions head into the bye week in a prime position. Branch’s suspension has been served. He’ll rejoin the team against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2. Terrion Arnold has a chance to play that first game back, too.
Joseph had been battling through injuries to continue playing. It was thought he would play through the pain again with Branch suspended. But the Lions banked on their depth to hold things down.
The secondary needed some time to get right, and this collection of unknown and forgotten names delivered the game of their lives. That’s the power of these Lions, and it’s a main reason to expect this team to continue to get better and better.
“I didn’t think 9 points -- 9 points now, I don’t know where that ranks among all the games this week, that’s probably number one or close to it,” Campbell said. “That’s just a great job, but I knew we would hold our own. But it’s a testament to what they did, just a really great job.”
Don’t worry. We were all a little lost for words when trying to explain what the defense accomplished.
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