Detroit Lions fans anticipated more running plays against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before Week 2, the lasting image was running back David Montgomery effectively moving the ball on the ground against the Los Angeles Rams and scoring the game-winning touchdown.
The Lions’ ability to overpower another team to win in overtime was impressive.
Against the Buccaneers, quarterback Jared Goff dropped back to pass 55 times, and Montgomery played less than expected, as Jahmyr Gibbs recorded more offensive snaps.
Gibbs had 20 touches—13 rushes and seven receptions—across 53 snaps. Montgomery, meanwhile, had 11 carries for 35 yards and four receptions in 30 snaps.
Dan Campbell explained the plan was to open up the run game through the passing game. Detroit’s head coach noted the game reminded him of a playoff loss to the 49ers, where the team struggled to rush the football in the fourth quarter.
“We really wanted to open up the run game with the pass game. The run game—it was somewhat similar to the playoff game once we got to the fourth. We couldn’t get our run game going in the fourth.
“That’s another situation where it’s no gain, or a gain of three, then you’re in third-and-7. You return to the run game, but you’re not getting the yards you want, so you go back to passing. We were so close on some plays, just one block or a shoestring away from breaking it. It didn’t work out. I liked the game plan on both sides of the ball, but we didn’t execute,” Campbell elaborated.
The Lions primarily passed in the red zone, with Goff making short throws due to the Buccaneers’ solid coverage and strong run defense on early downs.
“Our red zone run game wasn’t as good as it’s been,” Campbell said. “Aside from Gibbs’ fourth-and-1 run late in the game, we struggled. We were stopped for no gain, three yards, or minus-four. That made it tougher down there. The Buccaneers were doing a good job covering, and we had to check down. We need to clean up a lot of small details, and we’re very close. It may not look like it now, but we are so close.”
