When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were last in Detroit, they nearly pulled off an upset to reach the NFC Championship Game.
The stakes are much lower this time around, but the game still figures to be a measuring stick test to see just how much this Bucs team has grown. So much was made one way or the other about how Tampa Bay constructed its roster this offseason, bringing back key players like Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans rather than spending on adding free agents.
So far the results have been splendid. While the lack of additions was lazily trolled, Tampa Bay put up 37 points in Week 1 and looked as efficient on offense as we've seen them in years. That's going to need to continue on Sunday, as the Bucs head to Detroit in dire need of another huge day from Baker Mayfield given all of the injuries the team is dealing with.
Full Inactives List for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 (Updated)
Before the week began, Antoine Winfield Jr. was ruled out for at least the next few games. It's impossible to overstate just how big of a loss that is, as Winfield is by far Tampa Bay's best player and arguably their most important.
Now that will have to fall on someone else, and his absence puts an immense strain on the defense.
Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Foot |
Calijah Kancey | DE | Calf |
Luke Goedeke | OT | Concussion |
Josh Hayes | CB | Ankle |
Devin Culp | TE | Healthy Inactive |
Jose Ramirez | LB | Healthy Inactive |
Ben Stille | DT | Healthy Inactive |
Antoine Winfield Jr., Calijah Kancey, and Luke Goedeke being out are huge losses for the Bucs
There's no easy way to put it, the Buccaneers head to Detroit already behind the eight ball. It's one thing to be going up against one of the best teams in the NFC, but to do it without three key players isn't helping anyone's cause.
It could end up being a blessing in disguise, though.
Sunday is shaping up to be an offensive shootout, which could be exactly what the Bucs need right now. The first time they played Detroit the offense embarrassingly only mustered up six points but the NFC Divisional Round game felt more like what Tampa Bay is capable of.
After last week's offensive explosion against the Commanders, the Bucs can flex their muscles and prove they can hang in a game that gets wild.
They sort of did that last year against Houston, but that was more about desperately playing catch-up rather than going blow-for-blow. That's what might be needed on Sunday in Detroit if the defense is going to be as short handed as it is.
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