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Detroit Lions' defense strong again in 20-6 win at Tampa Bay, their fourth straight

dave birkett, detroit free press
·4 min read
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TAMPA, Fla. — The Detroit Lions keep losing players and winning games.

Craig Reynolds, playing as a fill-in for injured running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, made the key block to spring Amon-Ra St. Brown for a touchdown and Jameson Williams caught a 45-yard TD pass in the second half as the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their fourth straight win Sunday, 20-6, at Raymond James Stadium.

"Everybody’s got a hand and it doesn’t matter who you are," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "We look like a team and these guys look like they’re playing for each other and that’s usually the sign of a pretty good team."

Montgomery, the Lions' leading rusher, suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s first half and did not return, and the Lions played their second straight game without Gibbs because of a strained hamstring.

Reynolds replaced Montgomery midway through the second quarter and made his touchdown-springing block five minutes later to help the Lions convert a third-and-13.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Lions keep losing players, but keep getting help, even from Jameson Williams, in win

Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

St. Brown caught a short pass over the middle, then cut across field on linebacker Lavonte David. Reynolds, who was still in the backfield when St. Brown secured the ball, came flying downfield to level cornerback Carlton Davis and give St. Brown a clear path to the end zone.

"I just saw Saint coming back across the grain, and I'm not going to lie, for a split second I was like, 'What's the rules as far as a block like this?'" Reynolds said. "I'm literally running towards him, I'm like, 'I think if I'm going towards my goal line I'm OK,' and I just said, F it. If I get fined, I get fined. He saw me last second so I just dropped the shoulder and hit him."

The Lions improved to 5-1 with the victory, tied for the best record in the NFC with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, who both lost Sunday. The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs are the only other 5-1 teams in the NFL.

The Lions have won four straight games for the first time since 2016 and four straight by double digits for the first time since 1991, the last time they played in the NFC championship game.

"Listen, I’m happy we’re winning and I love where we’re at right now and the other will happen when it happens," Campbell said. "Right now it’s about trying to find a way to finish first in this division and right now we’re in a pretty good spot. We’ve got a lot of football left but I'm proud of our guys."

Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions and Josh Reynolds of the Detroit Lions celebrate with Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions after Williams' receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions and Josh Reynolds of the Detroit Lions celebrate with Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions after Williams' receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

In a defensive struggle where both teams found it difficult to run the ball, Reynolds’ big block was one of several important plays by unheralded players to help the Lions stayed undefeated (3-0) on the road.

Isaiah Buggs, who opened the season as a healthy scratch on the defensive line, tipped a Baker Mayfield pass at the line of scrimmage on Tampa’s second possession and Will Harris made a diving interception on the deflection deep in Buccaneers territory. Riley Patterson kicked a 30-yard field goal four plays later to stake the Lions to an early 3-0 lead.

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Had Buggs not deflected Mayfield’s pass, Tampa receiver Mike Evans, who was running open deep behind the Lions secondary, might have scored on the play.

Williams, in his second game back from suspension, made a twisting catch on a third-and-10 late in the third quarter for his second career touchdown.

Williams ran a deep corner route out of a bunch formation, turned back to his left to catch the ball, then spun halfway around back to his right as Bucs safety Ryan Neal closed in for a hit.

And Harris, who was making his second straight start at nickel cornerback in place of injured rookie Brian Branch, had his first interception since Week 2 of last season.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

Jared Goff finished 30 of 44 passing for a season-high 353 yards for the Lions, who had 40 net yards rushing in the game.

St. Brown, in his return from an abdominal injury, caught 12 passes for 124 yards. He celebrated his 27-yard touchdown wildly on the sideline, hugging Reynolds after the play.

Mayfield was 19 of 37 passing for 206 yards for the Buccaneers, who fell to 3-2 with the loss.

The Lions held Tampa to 251 yards net offense and 46 yards rushing and held an opponent to six points for the second time this season. For the season, the Lions — owners of the NFL's worst defense last season — are holding opponents to 18.8 points per game.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' defense strong again in 20-6 win at Tampa Bay