FILE: Shaquil Barrett of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks following Sunday, September 17, 2023, NFL football game in Tampa, Florida, versus the Chicago Bears. Barrett eventually entered the long-term security game in 2021 when he inked a four-year, $68.5 million contract.(AP Photo/File: Chris O’Meara) APAP
“We haven’t finished yet.”
Shaq Barrett, a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Bucs, felt that way going into the divisional round. The Bucs will play the Detroit Lions again on Sunday, this time at Ford Field, following their dominance of the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 on Monday in their wild-card game. The victor will play the Green Bay Packers or the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.
The last time Lions and Buccaneers met each other was during Week 6 at Raymond James Stadium. Jared Goff, the quarterback, had an outstanding game, leading the Lions to a 20-6 victory as they left Tampa Bay. In the end, he had two touchdowns, 353 passing yards, and a passer rating of 107.5.
Barrett is well aware of what is at risk for both teams, given that he has been in this position before. The All-Pro linebacker has won two Super Bowls: the most recent one was with the Buccaneers in the past year, and the first one was with the Denver Broncos in 2015.
I’m excited about it, Barrett remarked. “I know Detroit hasn’t seen playoff football in a while, but it’s back, and they defeated us early in the season, so it’s another stop on our revenge tour, and I’m excited about it.” I enjoy entering and taking in the ambiance there. I adore hostile environments, particularly those reminiscent of the playoffs.
“I’m just looking forward to being home, though I would rather to be elsewhere. It will be an exciting game, and if we get ready, figure out what needs to be done, and execute that plan, we ought to win.
Barrett might not be the only one looking for justice.
Many of the players that Dan Campbell calls the Lions’ “old guard” were present for the team during their previous two losses to the Buccaneers at Ford Field, with the exception of Graham Glasgow, who spent a few years with the Denver Broncos. The most recent one happened on December 26, 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Buccaneers, captained by Tom Brady, thrashed the Lions 47-7 in the absence of any spectators.
The Lions were the only team to stop the Bucs without a score this season and the only team overall to keep them from scoring more than seven points in a game during their eight losses.
Taking this into account along with the way the Lions have performed this year, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is aware that his team is coming into Sunday’s game as the underdog—a role that Barrett has stated they will relish.
Barrett stated, “No matter what’s projected or what people think is going to happen in the game, we know our capabilities in the locker room.” We therefore always enter the game believing we have a good chance of winning. Many consider us to be the underdog. Though we don’t consider ourselves the underdog, the scenario will remain the same in Detroit.
