Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats (Sep 15, 2024)

Tampa Bay escaped Ford Field with a 20-16 victory on September 15, 2024, despite Detroit outgaining them 463-216. The Week 2 matchup saw the Buccaneers improve to 2-0 while the Lions dropped to 1-1 after failing to capitalize on overwhelming statistical advantages.

Game Statistics Show Detroit’s Dominance Everywhere But the Scoreboard

The 64,160 fans in attendance witnessed their Lions control virtually every aspect except points scored. Detroit ran 83 plays to Tampa Bay’s 47, held the ball for 33:53, and converted 41% of third downs compared to Tampa Bay’s 20%.

Quarterback Performances: Mayfield’s Efficiency vs Goff’s Volume

Baker Mayfield Makes Every Touch Count

Mayfield’s 41-yard touchdown strike to Chris Godwin came on second-and-10 with 9:08 left in the second quarter, breaking a 6-6 tie. His 11-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds left in the third quarter proved to be the game-winner on a designed quarterback draw. Despite absorbing five sacks from Aidan Hutchinson’s relentless pressure, Mayfield protected the ball after his early interception.

Jared Goff’s Empty Possessions

Fifty-five pass attempts without a touchdown tells the story. Goff’s first pass of the game went directly to Zyon McCollum for an interception. His second pick came courtesy of Christian Izien at the Tampa Bay 9-yard line, wasting prime field position. In the final five minutes, Goff had two chances to engineer a game-winning drive. Both ended with turnovers on downs inside Tampa Bay territory.

Red Zone Failures Doom Detroit

The Lions entered Tampa Bay territory seven times and scored one touchdown:

Tampa Bay’s red zone defense allowed 7.1 yards per play between the 20s but just 2.3 yards per play inside the 20.

Receiving Statistics Paint Clear Picture

Chris Godwin Carries Tampa Bay’s Passing Attack

Godwin’s 90.0 PFF receiving grade topped all offensive players. Carlton Davis, Detroit’s former Tampa Bay cornerback, limited Mike Evans to his quietest game of the young season. Otton’s zero catches on two targets continued his slow start to 2024.

Detroit Spreads the Ball Without Finding Paydirt

St. Brown’s 18 targets without a touchdown epitomized Detroit’s offensive frustration. Williams’ 50-yard catch in the first quarter set up a field goal instead of a touchdown. LaPorta, Detroit’s 6-foot-4 red zone weapon from 2023, saw just three targets all game and none inside the 20.

Ground Game Tells Story of Misused Weapons

Tampa Bay’s Non-Existent Run Game Forces Mayfield to Create

White and Irving combined for 17 carries and 40 yards. Their inability to generate any push forced Tampa Bay into obvious passing situations, leading to Mayfield’s five sacks. Yet when the Bucs needed a touchdown, they turned to their quarterback’s legs.

Detroit Abandons What Works

Gibbs ripped off gains of 24, 16, and 8 yards. His 6.5 yards per carry screamed for more touches, especially in the red zone where Detroit struggled. Instead, the Lions called Goff’s number 55 times. Montgomery punched in Detroit’s only touchdown from one yard out but otherwise found tough sledding.

Aidan Hutchinson’s Dominance Goes Unrewarded

Pro Football Reference noted Hutchinson’s 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade ranked as the highest through two weeks since PFF began tracking in 2006. He victimized backup right tackle Justin Skule repeatedly after Luke Goedeke left with a concussion in the first quarter. Yet despite Hutchinson’s historic performance, Detroit’s offense couldn’t capitalize.

Tampa Bay’s Patchwork Defense Bends Without Breaking

Missing Antoine Winfield Jr., Calijah Kancey, and Josh Hayes, Tampa Bay’s defense relied on role players making big plays. Vita Vea dominated early (79.5 PFF grade) before exiting with a knee injury. The unit allowed 5.6 yards per play overall but just 2.3 yards per play in the red zone.

Special Teams: McLaughlin’s Leg Makes the Difference

Place Kicking Comparison

McLaughlin’s 55-yard field goal at 9:00 of the first quarter gave Tampa Bay a 6-0 lead after Goff’s early interception. That long-distance strike mattered in a four-point game.

Fox’s Fake Punt Provides Brief Spark

On fourth-and-12 from their own 20 in the second quarter, punter Jack Fox took the snap and found Sione Vaki for 17 yards. Fox went 1-for-1 passing, earning a 118.8 passer rating on the play. The aggressive call worked, though the drive eventually stalled at midfield.

The Clock Management Disaster That Cost Three Points

Detroit’s most costly error came with 11 seconds left in the first half. After completing a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown at the Tampa Bay 17, confusion reigned. The field goal unit rushed onto the field while the offense remained. The resulting penalty for “Offensive Too Many Men on Field” triggered an automatic 10-second runoff per NFL rules. Half over. No field goal attempt. In a game decided by four points, those three points loomed large.

Head coach Dan Campbell took responsibility postgame, but the damage was done. The Lions went into halftime trailing 13-6 instead of 13-9.

Fourth Quarter: Where Championships Are Won and Lost

Detroit’s final 15 minutes featured three possessions that reached Tampa Bay territory. None produced points:

7:41 left: After Gibbs’ 24-yard run put them at the Tampa Bay 28, a holding penalty pushed them back. Two plays later, Goff’s pass intended for St. Brown was intercepted by Izien at the 9-yard line.

5:12 left: Starting at their own 18, Detroit methodically moved downfield. Thirteen plays and 76 yards later, they faced fourth-and-8 from the Tampa Bay 11. Goff’s pass to Gibbs fell incomplete.

0:33 left: One final chance. Detroit reached the Tampa Bay 26 with 14 seconds left. After spiking the ball, Goff had two shots at the end zone. Both fell incomplete.

Critical Penalties Shape Outcome

Terrion Arnold’s two penalties proved especially costly, gifting Tampa Bay 56 yards of field position that led directly to 10 points.

Line Play: Where Pressure Came From

Tampa Bay’s Offensive Line Grades (PFF)

The pressure came from exactly one spot. After Goedeke’s injury, Skule became Hutchinson’s personal turnstile. Yet Wirfs and Bredeson’s excellence on the left side gave Mayfield somewhere to escape.

Injury Report Impacts Game Flow

Did Not Play:

• Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB) – All-Pro safety
• Calijah Kancey (TB) – Disruptive DT
• Josh Hayes (TB) – Reserve CB

Left Game:

• Luke Goedeke (TB) – Concussion, Q1
• Vita Vea (TB) – Knee injury, Q3

Left and Returned:

• Rachaad White (TB)
• Yaya Diaby (TB)
• Terrion Arnold (DET)
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) – Briefly in Q3

Goedeke’s early exit created the mismatch Hutchinson exploited. Vea’s departure weakened Tampa Bay’s run defense, though Detroit inexplicably didn’t test it more.

Week 2 Implications

This result sent both teams in different directions. Tampa Bay’s 2-0 start built on their late-2023 momentum. Their ability to win ugly proved valuable throughout 2024. Detroit’s 1-1 record masked deeper concerns about red zone execution and late-game management that would resurface throughout the season.

For more perspective on these teams, see how Tampa Bay handled Las Vegas in Week 8 and Detroit’s rebound against Arizona in Week 3.

Game Officials

Greg Wilson’s crew called a relatively clean game with eight total penalties for 106 yards. The crew included Clay Martin (Umpire), Jerod Phillips (Down Judge), Dave Hawkshaw (Line Judge), Alonzo Ramsey III (Field Judge), James Carter II (Side Judge), and Brian Perry (Back Judge).

Statistical Reality Check

Detroit’s 463-216 yardage advantage, 26-14 edge in first downs, and nearly 8-minute advantage in time of possession typically result in victory. But football games require points, not yards.

Tampa Bay scored on 50% of their red zone possessions. Detroit managed 14.3%. That disparity, combined with two Goff interceptions and a crucial clock management error, explains how the Buccaneers left Ford Field with an unlikely victory. In the NFL, execution in critical moments trumps statistical domination between the 20s. The Buccaneers proved that truth in Detroit.