Buccaneers: Detroit Lions Players to Watch

Quarterback Matthew Stafford

While he has been criticized for not being worthy of the highest contract in the NFL, Matt Stafford is actually pretty good at football. While he did injure his throwing hand this previous week he is still expected to play in Tampa. Stafford has been productive this year completing 64% of his passes for 3300 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has the tenth best QBR with 98.2 in the league while being the second most sacked quarterback in the league with 39. Only Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Jacoby Brissett has been hit more. Stafford being hit so much may be due to the lack of running game in Detroit. With 939 rushing yards, the Lions have the second worst rushing attack in the NFL, twenty yards ahead of the Arizona Cardinals. Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah have taken the bulk of the carries combining for 204 carries, 687 yards, and four touchdowns. Not very good production with 3.4 yards per carry.

While the Lions have a poor rushing attack they have utilized their pass catchers very effectively. Riddick and Abdullah have 59 catches together giving them an effective pass-catching backfield. On the outside, the duo of Golden Tate and Marvin Jones are each having really good seasons. Jones has been a more productive deep threat and Tate can make plays when Stafford gets him the ball in his hands. They have Kenny Golladay and Eric Ebron too, giving the Lions as many pass-catching weapons as anyone in the league. If Stafford struggles at all the Bucs can win this game.

Next: Game Changers For Bucs/Lions

While the Buccaneers are not a formidable opponent anymore they can still put up a fight. They have the best scoring defense at home this season so the Lions will have to be on their toes if they want to save their season. Who else on the Lions should the Bucs look out for, sound off on Twitter or Facebook.

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