Is Bucco Bruce To Blame For This? Bucs' Offense Fails In Loss To Lions

TAMPA — The easiest way would be to attribute Sunday’s result to Tampa Bay’s retro creamsicle jerseys.

The Bucs brought back memories of Leeman Bennett and Ray Perkins’ stagnant offenses against the Lions. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had major problems against Detroit’s defense in a 20-6 loss.

Fellow Lions forward Jared Goff played most of the game without running back David Montgomery (rib injury), but still distributed the football and rushed for 353 yards and two touchdowns.

Mayfield, meanwhile, entered the game as the league’s top-rated passer on third down, but the Bucs converted just 2 of 12 in those situations. He twice missed deep throws to rookie Trey Palmer, who got behind the Lions’ defense.

On the other hand, Goff and the Lions were 9 of 15 (60%) on third down Sunday.

Luckily for Tampa Bay, all three other NFC South teams also lost, allowing the Bucs (3-2) to maintain the division lead for one half.

While the Bucs got off to a 3-1 start before the bye week, they were unable to prevail against the NFC’s better teams and also lost to the Eagles (6-0).

Bucs wide receiver Trey Palmer (10) dives for a pass attempt, but the ball eludes him in the second quarter. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

Mayfield finished the game 19 of 37 for 206 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Whether there was some rust that Mayfield needed to shake off or not, he struggled from the start, completing just 8 of 17 passes for 75 yards in the first half.

The Bucs gave the Lions (5-1) their first points of the game. Mayfield had Mike Evans open in the middle of the field, but his pass was deflected by defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs and intercepted by cornerback Will Harris at the Tampa Bay 12-yard line. It was Mayfield’s third interception this season.

To their credit, the Bucs defense dropped Montgomery for losses on consecutive rushing attempts, forcing the Lions to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Riley Patterson.

Chase McLaughlin tied the score with a 33-yard field goal to make it 3-0.

The Bucs should have gotten a boost when Montgomery was forced to leave the game in the second quarter. But Goff, who went 12 of 19 for 150 yards, threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with 2:39 left in the first half. He picked up a great block from Josh Reynolds on Carlton Davis and sent it into the end zone.

Mayfield came into play in the second half and completed a 23-yard pass to Chris Godwin and an 18-yard pass to Mike Evans. But Mayfield, standing at the Lions’ 8-yard line on third-and-1, attempted to throw a fade pass to Evans in the right corner of the end zone. But the Bucs receiver was called for offensive pass interference.

Stay up to date on the Tampa Bay sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you daily news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida college football teams.

You are all registered!

Want more of our free weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s begin.

Explore all your options

Mayfield’s next pass to Evans was incomplete and the Bucs cut the Lions’ lead to 10-6 on McLaughlin’s 37-yard field goal with 7:44 left in the third quarter.

But Goff and the Lions were simply better on the big downs.

On third-and-11 from midfield, Goff found Kalif Raymond for 12 yards and a first down. Then on third-and-10 with 3:19 left in the third, he threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, who managed to hold on despite being covered by Bucs safety Ryan Neal. The Lions led 17-6 at the time and scored a 36-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter.

This story will be updated.

• • •

Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter for daily coverage of the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Never miss the latest on your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.