As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their high-stakes Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions, head coach Todd Bowles has made it clear he has immense respect for the opponent standing in their way. Speaking to reporters this week, Bowles described Dan Campbell’s Lions as one of the most complete and disciplined teams in the NFL.
“They’re battle tested,” Bowles said. “They’re strong on both sides of the ball. They make plays in the secondary, they’ve got big-play receivers, and that two-headed monster in the backfield makes them very tough to prepare for.”
Bowles, who has built his reputation on defensive discipline and toughness, sees a reflection of his own philosophy in Campbell’s Lions. “They’re very well-coached, very tough, and very smart,” he continued. “Dan [Campbell] does a great job getting those guys ready every week. You can see they play for him — and that’s a mark of a good football team.”
Detroit enters the game with one of the NFC’s most balanced offenses, powered by quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and an offensive line Bowles called “one of the best in football.” The Buccaneers coach also acknowledged the challenge of facing Detroit’s defense, which ranks among the league’s top units in stopping the run. “You’ve got to earn every yard against them,” Bowles said. “They make you work for everything.”
On the injury front, Bowles expressed optimism that star wide receiver Mike Evans could return to practice, but emphasized that the team would be cautious. “We’ll see how he looks and make a decision from there,” he noted, pointing to the importance of keeping the roster as healthy as possible for the midseason stretch.
Despite Tampa Bay’s strong start, Bowles stressed that discipline and execution will be critical if the Buccaneers want to continue their winning ways. “Playing in Detroit is always a tough place to go,” he said. “They’ve got a great crowd, great energy, and they feed off it. We have to match that intensity and play our brand of football.”
With both teams eyeing NFC supremacy, Bowles’ respect for the Lions underscores the magnitude of this primetime showdown — one that could shape the playoff picture for weeks to come.
