If the Bucs manage to pull off a win on Sunday against Detroit, what would that say about their potential when they’re fully healthy?
The Bucs face a tough challenge against the Lions, largely due to injuries. Last season, in the playoffs, Luke Goedeke held his own against Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, shutting him down in their October matchup. However, Goedeke is sidelined this week with a concussion.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff struggles when faced with pressure up the middle, but the Bucs are missing their key pass-rushing defensive tackle, Calijah Kancey.
The Lions boast a strong passing game, while the Bucs’ secondary is severely weakened by injuries. All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield is out, and there’s uncertainty about starting corner Zyon McCollum, who is still trying to clear concussion protocol today.
When asked about the rash of injuries ahead of Week 2, head coach Todd Bowles admitted it’s frustrating but said he’d rather deal with them now than later in the season.
The big question is: will it be enough?
The Bucs’ pass rush, especially up the middle, is concerning this week. Detroit has one of the league’s best offensive lines, and without Kancey, the Bucs are at a significant disadvantage.
While stats like pass rush win rates and blocking win rates can be debated, it’s clear that without Kancey, the focus will shift entirely to Vita Vea. This could leave the Bucs without much of an interior pass rush, making it even harder to contain Detroit’s high-powered offense.