'We're doing what we need to do': Lions stifle Buccaneers, push win streak to 4

Tampa, Fla. — After lighting up the scoreboard for 76 points the past two weeks, the Detroit Lions needed to find a different, grittier way to win against a stout Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.

The Lions (5-1) were able to lean heavily on their own defense, and despite not being able to effectively run the ball, found ways to keep the chains moving on third down in a hard-fought, 20-6 victory at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

"Listen, I can't say enough about our defensive performance today, and really for five games this year, to be honest with you," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "(Defensive coordinator) Aaron Glenn has done a hell of a job with that staff, and our players have bought in. They've been bought in, but, man, we're just playing as one unit right now and we're doing what we need to do."

BOX SCORE: Lions 20, Buccaneers 6

The defensive dominance for both teams was on display from the start. After each offense stalled out near midfield with their opening possession, the Lions came up with a huge turnover that led to the first points of the contest.

As Tampa Bay's Mike Evans came wide open, quarterback Baker Mayfield looked to connect with his receiver for a likely touchdown, but Detroit defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs was able to get a hand up and deflect the ball, which was intercepted by nickel cornerback Will Harris.

"All week, the coaches, they elaborated on (keeping) your hands up," Buggs said. “Quick passes, the ball was really low, and that’s what I did. I work at my craft and try to do what these coaches want me to do. I (saw) the opportunity and I made it happen."

Despite taking over in the red zone, the Lions weren't able to advance the ball and took a 30-yard Riley Patterson field goal, giving the visitors an early, 3-0 edge.

As the two sides traded punts the next several series, that score held until the middle of the second quarter when the Buccaneers (3-2) drew even. Harris had a rough possession, getting beat for a 21-yard, third-down conversion by receiver Trey Palmer before giving up a second third-down conversion with a holding penalty against Evans. But cornerback Jerry Jacobs managed to limit the damage with a pass breakup on a third-down throw in the red zone, leaving Tampa Bay to settle for a 33-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal.

Detroit managed to regain the lead shortly before the half. After picking up a pair of big gains with a 19-yard screen pass to David Montgomery and a 21-yard dart to Josh Reynolds, the offense got into a hole, facing third-and-13 just outside the red zone.

Trying to counter Tampa's blitz-happy defender, quarterback Jared Goff opted for a short throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown on a crosser well short of the sticks, but the receiver was able to pick up a huge block from running back Craig Reynolds before turning upfield and dancing along the sideline for a 27-yard score, putting the Lions ahead, 10-3, following the extra point.

"Saint did everything wrong running sideways and still gets a touchdown, partially because of what Craig did there," Goff said with a smile. "That was sweet."

Taking the ball to open the second half, the Lions looked to extend their advantage with a 52-yard field goal, but Patterson sent his longest attempt of the year wide right in the gusty conditions. Taking advantage of the premium field position following the miss, Tampa Bay quickly worked inside the 20-yard line with long passes to Chris Godwin and Evans before stalling out.

Evans was flagged for an offensive pass interference on a throw into the end zone on third-and-1, and after the Lions accepted the penalty, the star receiver dropped a potential first down catch on the ensuring snap, leaving McLaughlin to come in to slice Detroit's lead to four with a 36-yard field goal.

But the Lions finally managed to come up with a counterpunch as Goff converted three consecutive third downs. The final one, after consecutive drops by his targets, was a 45-yard bomb to Jameson Williams for the second-year receiver's first touchdown of the season.

Well-covered by safety Ryan Neal, Williams serpentine under the ball and was able to hold on despite the defender getting an arm in on an attempted breakup.

With the run game struggling, the Lions put a lot of Goff, having him throw a season-high 44 times. He responded by completing 30 passes for 353 yards and the two scores, without an interception.

"I don't know that's the way we wanted it when we came into (the game), but it kind of turned it, right?" Goff said. "I thought the (offensive line) are protecting their tails off right now and giving me plenty of time to see everything. When that's the case, we have good players down the field who were able to make plays. I can't give those guys enough credit up front right now."

Meanwhile, Detroit's defense continued to force punts, and a 36-yard field goal by Patterson early in the fourth quarter gave the Lions a two-touchdown lead with 12:04 remaining. It marked the 15th consecutive game the Lions have scored at least 20 points, extending a franchise record.

And as the team has done in multiple victories this season, they successfully chewed up the clock in the fourth quarter, eating nearly seven minutes during a drive that essentially sealed the win.

With its fourth straight victory, Detroit will look to keep its hot streak going next week, when the Lions travel to Baltimore to battle the first-place Ravens. Following losses by both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Lions are tied for the best record in the NFL.

"Yeah, we've played well for six weeks," Goff said. "It's hard to play well all year. That's our goal. At some point, we're going to hit some kind of adversity and have to fight through that. Right now, we're playing well. That's four in a row for us and it's a pretty good feeling. It certainly is. We know who we are, we know — I've said it a million times — we feel like we can go beat anyone right now. Yeah, we feel pretty good. 

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers