Another loss for the Buccaneers this week, this time to the Detroit Lions. We held them in check as far as their running game is concerned, only allowing the Lions to rush for a total of 53 yards on 18 attempts. Matt Stafford, however, had all day to find his targets. He played a great game early on, completing pretty much every pass because our defensive line could not get any pressure on Stafford. We did manage to pick him off twice later on, as Grimes and McClain each had an interception. In addition to that, Lavonte David forced a fumble again and was also able to recover it, but if you turn the ball over five times it is just hard to get a victory.
Winston did not play well, turning it over three times (2 interceptions and one fumble lost). Doug Martin was back and had a Touchdown, but, other than that, struggled to get anything going, even turning the ball over once. Peyton Barber received more carries than Martin (12 – 10) and did a solid job gaining 58 yards and averaging almost 5 yards per tote. OJ Howard seems to find somewhat of a rapport with Jameis Winston. Yet Howard had a crucial fumble on a bizarre play that was reviewed multiple times by the referees.
To put it in a nutshell, another close game that could easily have been won by the Buccaneers. Next up is a Monday night home game against the Atlanta Falcons. Though it would hurt our draft status, a win on national TV against the Falcons would always feel good, wouldn’t it?
