Buccaneers: Winners and losers following loss to Detroit

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks to Donovan Smith #76 during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) continued their downward spiral on Sunday, losing to the Detroit Lions (7-6) at home on a last minute field goal. Which players came out of the contest as winners and losers?

48. Final. 24. 50. 21

After a week filled with talk of “Jameis Winston turns the ball over too much”, the Buccaneer quarterback served up even more bait for his detractors against the Lions. Though he completed two touchdowns and a solid clip of passes, Winston threw two interceptions and fumbled once, and narrowly escaped a few more mishaps. Doug Martin and O.J. Howard both fumbled as well, giving the Bucs five on the day.

Given all the turnovers it’s surprising that the Lions didn’t score more. Matt Stafford diced up the defense throughout the game to the tune of a career high 37 completions, but also peppered in two interceptions to help keep the game close. On top of the interceptions, the Bucs defense also forced a fumble on Lions tight end Eric Ebron (who finished the game with a season high 10 catches for another season high 94 yards).

It’s tough to say that the Bucs defense played well overall, but they did give the offense a chance to take a lead late that Jameis Winston and company squandered. With time running out, Matt Stafford marched the Lions down the field, setting up kicker Matt Prater for a 46 yard game winning field goal.

Let’s take a look at some of the winners and losers from the sloppy, turnover filled game.