4 Buccaneers Players Lions Must Worry About

Next up on the Detroit Lions‘ historic playoff run are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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 Bucs.

Baker Mayfield, quarterback

With the Buccaneers in 2023, Mayfield—who was previously derided—has experienced a career comeback.

The former Browns quarterback’s only goal going into training camp last summer was to challenge Kyle Trask, a third-year veteran, for the starting position behind center. The job is all Mayfield’s now, after leading Tampa Bay to the NFC South division crown and a win on Super Wild Card Weekend against the Eagles. In that wild-card playoff contest with Philadelphia, the Oklahoma Sooners product completed 22-of-36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He had his way all night long with the Eagles’ secondary, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has the same experience with Detroit’s defensive backs group Sunday.WR Mike Evans

If there’s one offensive weapon the Lions are going to have to worry about Sunday, it’s Evans.

Mayfield and the star Buccaneers wideout have established a terrific rapport with one another in their first season together. The quarterback and receiver connected 79 times for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.

It marked Evans’ 10th consecutive season with north of 1,000 receiving yards.

The five-time Pro Bowler came down with three catches for 48 yards against Philadelphia Monday. I expect him to replicate that production and then some this weekend against Cam Sutton and the Lions’ porous secondary.

Next up on the Detroit Lions’ historic playoff run are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit and Tampa Bay squared off during the regular season in Week 6, with the Lions coming out on top, 20-6.

Entering Sunday’s divisional playoff matchup with the Buccaneers, here are four Tampa Bay players that Detroit needs to be worried about.

QB Baker Mayfield

The once-maligned Mayfield has enjoyed a career resurgence with the Buccaneers in 2023.

Entering training camp last summer, the former Browns quarterback was simply going to compete with third-year pro Kyle Trask for the starting job under center.

The job is all Mayfield’s now, after leading Tampa Bay to the NFC South division crown and a win on Super Wild Card Weekend against the Eagles.

In that wild-card playoff contest with Philadelphia, the Oklahoma Sooners product completed 22-of-36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He had his way all night long with the Eagles’ secondary, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has the same experience with Detroit’s defensive backs group Sunday.

WR Mike Evans

If there’s one offensive weapon the Lions are going to have to worry about Sunday, it’s Evans.

Mayfield and the star Buccaneers wideout have established a terrific rapport with one another in their first season together. The quarterback and receiver connected 79 times for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.

It marked Evans’ 10th consecutive season with north of 1,000 receiving yards. The five-time Pro Bowler came down with three catches for 48 yards against Philadelphia Monday. I expect him to replicate that production and then some this weekend against Cam Sutton and the Lions’ porous secondary. Antoine Winfield Jr.