The Detroit Lions returned home and, with a raucous Ford Field crowd behind them, completely took the wind out of the sails of their NFC rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They now head into their bye week riding high and due for some much-needed rest and recovery.
In what was expected to be a high-scoring affair—with an eye-popping betting total of 54.5—the story of the night turned out to be Detroit’s defense. Despite being without their top four starting defensive backs, Kelvin Sheppard’s unit threw together arguably its best game plan of the season. The preparation, execution, and relentless disruption made for a miserable Monday night for Baker Mayfield.
Sheppard’s defense allowed just nine points—the Buccaneers’ lowest total since Week 3 of last season and only the second time since the s