Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Final Score: Buccaneers 20 – Lions 16
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
This game was a clash of two playoff teams meeting in Week 2. We saw the Lions look towards their star players for help on Sunday as the Lions’ defense caused chaos all afternoon on the back of star DE Aidan Hutchinson. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to overcome Jared Goff’s two costly interceptions, as the Lions lost the rematch of this Divisional Round game. We did see star wideout Amon-Ra. St. Brown bounce back this week, posting a trademark game with over 10 catches and 100 yards. Despite the pressure the Lions brought on defense, the Bucs offense overcame such odds. Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin put the team on their backs to win as they head home after a 2-0 to start the season.
Three Up
- Baker Mayfield – Mayfield had a rough start to his game but rebounded with two total touchdowns to save his fantasy day for managers.
- Chris Godwin – The Buccaneers offense was all Chris Godwin. He dominated in the slot and had this only touchdown of the day from both teams’ skilled players.
- Amon-Ra St.Brown – After a poor Week 1, St. Brown bounced back significantly. He led all pass catchers in targets and had the most yards in the game.
Three Down
- Jared Goff – Goff hasn’t looked like much of a fantasy option in 2024. Goff added two more turnovers in today’s game to his turnover total.
- Sam LaPorta – LaPorta has not been essential to this Lions offense in 2024. The rise of Jameson Williams has put LaPorta on the back seat in targets.
- Rachaad White – White did get hurt in this game, but still, he wasn’t able to do much. He continues to prove that Bucky Irving deserves to be more involved, which won’t be good for White.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 12/19, 185 yards passing, TD, INT | 5 attempts, 34 yards rushing, TD
This wasn’t Mayfield’s best game, but he showed his leadership and toughness on the field. If it weren’t for Chris Godwin, then Mayfield wouldn’t have been able to do much on the field. It wasn’t his fault, as his offensive line couldn’t keep edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson from being in Mayfield’s face all day. Mayfield did not have time to wait for his receivers to get open down the field to make many throws. When Mayfield did have time, he looked poised in the pocket and made solid throwers. Mayfield continues to show a small rushing floor, adding to his fantasy value.
Running Back
Rachaad White: 10 attempts, 18 yards rushing | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards receiving
The Buccaneers backfield did not have a great day. White was not great in this matchup for his time on the field. He did get banged up on the third series of the team’s offense due to a groin injury. He wasn’t running well before the injury. He did return, but it was clear he didn’t see his usual workload with the injury. The Lions’ run defense did their job, stopping this backfield from doing much on the field. White should hopefully be fine for Week 3, but we could see the Buccaneers take precautions with their star running back.
Bucky Irving: 7 attempts, 22 yards rushing
Irving didn’t fare much better in this game, either. He didn’t see a touch on the field until the game’s third series. Irving ran into many brick walls along the elite defensive line and could not make any noise in this game. Irving did prove that he still has work to do on passing downs, as he missed helping out on blocks often. Those misses cost a few of the Buccaneers’ drives from continuing in this game. Irving only benefits if White’s injury is long-term.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Mike Evans: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 42 yards receiving
Evans didn’t have an elite game today, but he did solid with the opportunities he was given in this game. Evans did have 31% of Mayfield’s pass attempts in this game. Unfortunately, due to Mayfield not having time in the pocket, Evans’ game today was hurt. Evans thrives with big plays downfield, and Mayfield wasn’t given much time to find him. A few designed plays on slants gave Evans his production in this game. Evans should be fine and be able to have more WR1 games moving forward.
Chris Godwin: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 117 yards receiving, TD
Godwin was the player of the game for the Buccaneers, who dominated in the slot today. He was often found over the middle, as he was able to beat Nickelback Arik Robertson. Godwin had a nice route over the middle that left wide open for a 41-yard touchdown. Godwin found a way to get open in the Buccaneers’ zone defense and took advantage of that. Godwin’s return to the slot has increased his fantasy value in 2024. Godwin should remain a WR2 in fantasy as we move on to Week 3.
Jalen McMillan: 2 targets, 1 reception, 21 yards
There is not much to say about the rookie McMillan. He is the third option in this peaking order among the pass catchers. Due to the game script, Mayfield didn’t throw much or have time to do so. McMillan had a solid catch late in the third quarter in zone coverage. He had one more target, but there was a no-call flag. McMillan will flash in future games as he continues to look good running routes on the field.
Cade Otton: 2 targets | 1 attempt, (-7) yards rushing
Otton isn’t much of a fantasy option among tight ends. He was used more as a blocking tight end than a receiving threat downfield. His one touch of the game was a dump-off from Mayfield as he got sacked. Otton may not ever be an option at tight end in 2024.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff : 34/55, 307 yards passing, 2 Ints | 2 attempts, 5 yards rushing
Goff had a poor fantasy outing in Week 2. Goff threw the ball a ton due to the game script but did not throw well. He only had two passes over 20 yards in this game. He forced the ball to St.Brown, causing many incompletions. The playcalling was also bad, limiting the offense to short passes. His two turnovers were due to bad throws on his part. He threw a beautiful bomb to Jameson Williams in the first quarter. Outside of that, Goff put up a poor showing in this game. His ability to start in fantasy right now is in question.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: 13 attempts, 84 yards rushing | 7 targets, 7 receptions, 22 yards receiving
Gibbs’ fantasy day was decent. He had most of his production off of just two touches for 47 yards. That means he produced 59 yards on 18 other touches in this game. Gibbs showed off his speed and vision to get up the field when he had solid blocking. He was the focal point of the Lions’ offense in the fourth quarter when the team was down. Gibbs wasn’t able to get space on any of his receptions today. He was used on screen plays that didn’t go for many yards. Gibbs should continue to be a monster in PPR leagues with another high reception day.
David Montgomery: 11 attempts, 34 yards rushing, TD | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 35 yards receiving
Montgomery put up another solid fantasy outing due to scoring another touchdown. Montgomery did not run well in this game – he did not have a run over 10 yards. Due to the game script, Montgomery saw opportunities as a pass catcher with 3 receptions for 30 yards in the fourth quarter. He looked solid as a pass catcher with open space to make defenders miss and gain extra yardage. Montgomery’s value will always rely on a touchdown, but seeing this receiving value was encouraging.
Sione Vaki: 1 target, 1 reception, 17 yards receiving
Rookie Vaki didn’t make an impact on offense but was involved with a fake punt where he caught the pass. Vaki had running back Sean Tucker defending him, so it was an easy opportunity for him.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Amon-Ra St.Brown: 19 targets, 11 receptions, 119 yards receiving
Let’s talk about the bounce-back like St. Brown had in Week 2. Goff heavily targeted St. Brown in this game with those 19 targets. St. Brown was good all game, but he was better in zone coverage. That is where he found space in the defense for easy catches. When James Dean shadowed him, he made St. Brown’s life tough. This game has proven that St. Brown is still the WR1 and will remain an elite option.
Jameson Williams: 11 targets, 5 receptions, 79 yards receiving
The play of the day belonged to Williams. He continues to enjoy this breakout season with another great game. He had a beautiful 50-yard catch-and-run play. Williams is showing off his speed and elite route running this year. Unfortunately, the Lion’s offense fell apart, and they didn’t take many shots downfield to get the ball to him. He made a few sideline catches late in the game. Williams showed that he is at least a FLEX option in fantasy.
https://twitter.com/YahooFantasy/status/1835368967021740228
Sam LaPorta : 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards receiving
LaPorta has faded as a top option in the Lions’ offense. It’s not a LaPorta issue, but the team wants to get Williams more involved in the offense. LaPorta ran solid routes on the field, but Goff isn’t looking his way. He is still an option in close, as two of his targets came around the red zone. Eventually, LaPorta will have his day in this Lions offense, but he may not be the TE1 everyone thought when drafting him in drafts.
Kalif Raymond: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 27 yards receiving
Raymond had a few important catches late in the fourth quarter of this game. Unfortunately, he did not get a target until the fourth quarter of this game. The rise of Jameson Williams had left most of the other options for the Lions with minimal opportunities. Raymond continues to run great routes underneath and was able to get a few yards after his catches.
Tim Patrick : 3 targets, 2 receptions, 12 yards receiving
Patrick was activated to the active roster for this game. He had an awesome stiff arm on his one catch as he was heading out of bounds. He is not a real fantasy option.
Tom Kennedy: 1 target