The Tampa Bay Bucs are the team the Detroit Lions will face next in their historic playoff run.
In Week 6 of the regular season, Detroit and Tampa Bay faced off, with the Lions winning 20-6.
Here are four Tampa Bay players Detroit should be concerned about heading into Sunday’s divisional playoff game against the Buccaneers.
Baker Mayfield, quarterback
With the Bucs in 2023, the once-maligned Mayfield has seen a career comeback.
Upon starting training camp last summer, the former Browns quarterback’s only competition for the starting job under center was going to be with third-year pro Kyle Trask. However, after leading Tampa Bay to the NFC South division title and a victory over the Eagles on Super Wild Card Weekend, the job is now all Mayfield’s. The Oklahoma Sooners product had an easy time throwing 22 of 36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles’ secondary that night, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he had a similar experience against Detroit’s defensive backs group on Sunday.
WR Mike Evans: The Buccaneers wide receiver and quarterback Baker Mayfield have a great rapport; in 2023, the pair connected 79 times for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, which was Evans’ tenth straight season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. If there’s one offensive weapon the Lions will have to worry about on Sunday, it’s Evans.
Against Philadelphia on Monday, the five-time Pro Bowler was down with three catches for 48 yards. This Sunday, against Cam Sutton and the vulnerable Lions secondary, I anticipate him to surpass that output.
DT Vea
Vea will never be said to be petite. Since joining the league in 2018, the 28-year-old nose tackle, who is 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, has established himself as one of the most dependable players at his position.
This past season, he played in 62 percent of the defensive snaps for the Buccaneers and recorded a career-high 43 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss. He also recorded two forced fumbles, nine quarterback hits, and 5.5 sacks. And Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 78.5 for his efforts.
On Sunday, I predict that Detroit’s offensive line will have its hands full containing the powerful interior lineman.
S. Anthony Winfield Jr.
The 2023 season was a career high for Winfield Jr., the son of former NFL cornerback Antoine Winfield.
In terms of total tackles (122), sacks (6.0), forced fumbles (six), passes defensed (12), and interceptions (three), the 25-year-old set career highs. He received All-Pro recognition for the first time in his career and a PFF overall grade of 90.5, which is the second-best rating among all safety, for his accomplishments.
Winfield, S. Anthony Jr.
Winfield Jr., the son of former NFL cornerback Antoine Winfield, had a career-high 2023 season.
The 25-year-old achieved career highs in total tackles (122), sacks (6.0), forced fumbles (six), passes defensed (12), and interceptions (three). For the first time in his career, he was named an All-Pro, and his achievements earned him a PFF overall grade of 90.5, the second-best ranking among all safety.
