The Detroit Lions delivered a commanding statement on national television, overcoming a shorthanded defense to take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. With four starters in the secondary sidelined, Detroit leaned on several newcomers — and by night’s end, the NFL world learned a few new names as the Lions handed Tampa Bay its second loss of the season.
Here’s a breakdown of how each position group graded out following Monday’s impressive performance.
Quarterback: B-
While Jared Goff kept the offense functional, it wasn’t his sharpest outing. He began well, connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a touchdown on the opening drive, but some costly mistakes followed. Goff lost a fumble in the first quarter and tossed an interception before halftime that led to a Buccaneers field goal. He also overthrew Isaac TeSlaa on a critical fourth-down play.
Despite the miscues, Goff still managed to stay in rhythm most of the game, finishing 20-of-29 for 241 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient enough to steer Detroit to another victory.
Running Backs: A-
Jahmyr Gibbs once again proved to be the spark plug of Detroit’s offense. The dynamic rookie turned a short reception into a highlight-reel gain on the opening series, then ripped off a stunning 78-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Gibbs totaled 218 yards from scrimmage — 136 rushing and 82 receiving — and scored twice.
David Montgomery, however, found little room to operate, collecting just 21 yards on 13 attempts.
Wide Receivers: B
After a subdued performance the previous week, Amon-Ra St. Brown came alive with six catches for 86 yards and a 27-yard touchdown. Kalif Raymond contributed 17 yards on three grabs, but the rest of the group was largely quiet. Jameson Williams had his lone reception wiped out by an offensive pass interference penalty, and TeSlaa’s target sailed incomplete.
Tight Ends: B
Detroit’s tight ends were steady if unspectacular. Brock Wright caught three passes for 28 yards, while Sam LaPorta had three for 15. Both provided solid run blocking against Tampa Bay’s front, helping Gibbs find seams on the ground.
Offensive Line: C
This wasn’t the dominant showing we’ve come to expect from Detroit’s front five. Goff was sacked four times and faced steady pressure throughout. Although Taylor Decker’s return helped stabilize things, the group had lapses — including a missed downfield block by Penei Sewell that cost Gibbs a potential touchdown.
Defensive Line: A
With Tampa Bay focusing on Aidan Hutchinson, others stepped up in a big way. Alim McNeill, returning from injury, registered a tackle and a pass breakup. Tyrus Wheat impressed with 1.5 sacks and three tackles, teaming with Al-Quadin Muhammad for a key second-half takedown.
Hutchinson’s sack streak ended, but he contributed with a fumble recovery and a pass deflection. The collective effort up front dictated the game’s tempo.
Linebackers: A
Detroit’s linebackers were relentless. Jack Campbell filled up the stat sheet with eight tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, and a pass defensed. Derrick Barnes added five tackles, a sack, and a deflection, while Alex Anzalone chipped in with four stops.
Depth pieces Trevor Nowaske and Grant Stuard also made their mark, combining for four tackles. Zach Cunningham returned to action and added one more.
Secondary: A-
The most impressive storyline came from Detroit’s rebuilt secondary. Missing nearly every starter, the Lions turned to a group of unheralded defenders who rose to the challenge.
Nick Whiteside led the charge with three pass breakups, including a key fourth-down stop in the red zone. Arthur Maulet, signed earlier that day, picked off a pass in the second quarter. Erick Hallett tied for the team lead with eight tackles, while Amik Robertson forced a fumble and Rock Ya-Sin deflected two passes.
Special Teams: B
Jack Fox flipped field position with five punts averaging 51.2 yards, including a booming 66-yarder. Kicker Jake Bates missed from 54 yards but bounced back to hit a 58-yarder that matched his career best. Jacob Saylors averaged 27 yards on kick returns, though there were no punt return opportunities for Kalif Raymond.
Coaching: A-
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard deserves major credit for crafting a plan that maximized his depleted secondary. The defensive unit, filled with newcomers, executed flawlessly against one of the NFC’s top passing attacks.
Offensively, Detroit showed flashes of explosiveness but lacked consistency, relying heavily on Gibbs’ playmaking ability. Still, Dan Campbell’s group showcased depth, toughness, and adaptability — key traits of a true contender.
With a bye week ahead and several starters set to return, the Lions appear poised for an even stronger second half of the season. Monday’s win was more than a victory — it was a statement that this team’s depth and coaching make them one of the NFC’s elite forces.
