Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 7 Lions Vs. Bucs Preview

The Buccaneers trade deadline acquisition of RB Michael Bennett seriously changes the complexion of this game.   With the losses of “Cadillac” Williams and Michael Pittman to serious injury, the Bucs were going to have rely upon two young, inexperienced backs to carry the load for them.  

Bennett, although madly inconsistent in his NFL career and  also very injury-prone, has been a thorn in the Lions side in the past.   He has incredible speed and if he remains healthy, could help the Bucs emerge as strong playoff contenders in a weak division.

A lot of familiar faces have left the Bucs in recent years, but they are still utilizing a strong defense and a conservative offense to win games.   One familiar face to most Lions fans is QB Jeff Garcia, who has enjoyed a major career renaissance after fleeing Detroit two seasons ago.   Garcia has become an excellent game manager and he is the prototype for leading Jon “Chucky” Gruden’s “West Coast” brand of offense.

The Bucs will continue to do a lot of the same things that the Eagles and ‘Skins did to beat the Lions.   On Defense, the Bucs are going to pressure with their front four and drop seven into coverage, utilizing the same “Tampa-2″ zone coverage as the Lions.   

The Lions offensive line is going to have improve immensely if Jon Kitna is going to remain effective.   In particular, the Jeff Backus vs. Kevin Carter/Gaines Adams matchup may go along ways towards determining the success of the Lions.

Offensively, the Bucs will run the ball with Bennett and Earnest Graham and dink-n-dunk in front of the Lions zone coverage and force them to make tackles and limits yards after the catch.   Given the recent success teams have utilizing max-protection schemes to slow the Lions front four, the Lions may have to consider utilizing more blitzes to get to the QB, and relying upon man-to-man coverage in those situations.   Otherwise, Garcia will surgically pick apart the Lions secondary.

The Bucs opponents have a moderate amount of success running with the ball.   This is the week that the Lions absolutely need to mix in a heavy doses of carries to Kevin Jones, Tatum Bell, and T.J. Duckett.   Considering the undersized Buccaneers linebackers, the Lions may need to utilize some power football and force the Bucs to move one of their safeties up into the box, in hopes of opening up the deep, play action passing game.

Ford Field should be a major factor for the Lions Sunday, especially since Lions fans have had a week in which to distance themselves from the Lions recent road embarassments. 

The Lions have been opportunistic in their three victories against lesser opponents.   This will be a truer test of where the ‘07 team is developmentally, the Bucs aren’t likely to make many mistakes.  Bucs 24 Lions 20