NFL 2010 Week 15 – Preview: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stayed in the play-off hunt, with some help from their last rival. They will have to beat a few more key injuries, though, against a Detroit Lions team mired in
the longest road losing streak in NFL history.
After losing 4 starters over the earlier 2 weeks, Tampa Bay will take on the Detroit at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Kellen Winslow caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Josh Freeman last Sunday against Washington Redskins to put Buccaneers up 7 with just under 4 minutes remaining.
Washington drove down the field and scored a touchdown (TD) with 9 seconds to go, but when holder Hunter Smith bobbled the high snap, they could not convert the extra point, giving Buccaneers
a 17-16 win.
Tampa Bay(8-5), which is 5-0 in matches decided by 3 points or fewer, is tied with Green Bay Packers and sit one game behind the New York Giants for the NFC's final wild-card spot.
"We go into every game to prepare as best we can, and then when it comes down to it on Sundays when we try to go out and win the game," Freeman said. "They're not always perfect, but at
the same time, we know that if we keep grinding away, we have a chance to win it."
It was bad news for Buccaneers, as they lost defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Quincy Black to injuries. McCoy, the Number 3 overall pick in this year's draft, and Black were
placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
The injuries come as a huge blow for Tampa Bay after centerman Jeff Faineand and cornerback Aqib Talib suffered injuries in a 28-24 loss to Atlanta Falcons on 5th of December.
Josh Freeman, who had averaged 159.6 yards in his last 3 games, completed 15 of 25 passes for 266 yards (the same number the Detroit has surrendered through the air over their last 3 games).
He is completing almost 60 per cent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Buccaneers are also facing the Monday's arrest of linebacker Geno Hayes on disorderly conduct and trespassing charges.
Hayes, who will play Sunday, is the 3rd Buccaneer to be arrested in the past 2 months.
"You talk to your team about making good decisions all the time," Coach Raheem Morris said. "Obviously, you're frustrated with anything that diverts attention away from your team… It's diverting
away from us being positive and 8-5, and just talking about that stuff."
The Lions, who have also been hit with the injury bug, turned to Drew Stanton at quarterback for the 2nd consecutive week with Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill hurt. Though Stafford is doubtful
to be available on Sunday, Hill's condition is yet to be determined.
Detroit is coming off its best rushing performance of the season with 190 yards (4.6 averages) in their 7-3 win over the Green Bay last week. Detroit hopes to maintain that performance against
the Tampa Bay, which ranks 27th against the run, allowing 133 yards per contest.
Stanton threw for 117 yards with 1 TD and 2 interceptions while rushing for 44 yards.
Lions’ rookie Ndamukong Suh has become one of the most dreaded defensive tackle in the NFL. He leads the Detroit with 8 sacks. His 52 tackles are 4th best among defensive tackles.
Calvin Johnson, 2nd in the NFL with 12 receiving touchdowns, was held to 1 catch for 44 yards against the Green Bay, snapping his 4 play-off TD streak.
The Lions have not won on the road since 28th of October 2007.
"Winning on the road is something that we need to do as a football team," Schwartz said. "One win isn't going to -- say you get one win and then all of a sudden we're going to be undefeated
on the road for the next decade -- that's not going to happen. But it will be a step and it is something that we need to accomplish.
"Good football teams win on the road, and we aspire to be a good football team."
Tampa Bay has allowed 97 rushing first downs. The league average is 78. Its defense has given up the 4th fewest 2nd half points this season and has 5 2nd half shutouts.
Buccaneers are tied for the 3rd most interceptions (18) in the league and rank 7th in opponent passer rating (77.5).
Meanwhile, Detroit offense has sputtered as of late in the 2nd half. Detroit has scored 26 in the 2nd half in its last 4 contests.
Detroit is tied for 8th in the NFL with 25 takeaways through week 14 and also is among the top 10 in sacks and quarterback pressures.
Detroit has lost 5 of their last 6 games with Buccaneers.
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