By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
On January 21st, 2024, we got to witness more history for our Beloved Cardiac Cats of Detroit, Michigan. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew into town, on their Pirate Ship to face off against the Den of Detroit Lions, and our rabid fan base fresh of the last playoff win. Loudest indoor stadium in the league, at 133.8 decibels (Jet engines at take-off hit 115 decibels!)
It was a trading of scores through the first three quarters with neither team either flexing or breaking against their opponents. Detroit scores a FG, Tampa scores a FG. Couple of stalled drives, a TD for Detroit, a TD for Tampa. 10-10 at the half. It was looking like a battle of wills between Todd Bowles and Dan Campbell. And neither of them blinked in the first half!
The 2nd half started out pretty much the same way. For both teams. Both looking like their offenses had stalled. Until late in the 3rd quarter when something broke. Their run defense. Both teams are set up to protect the Red Zone Defensively. Stop the run, force teams to beat you through the air with the bend don’t break zone coverages.
The main difference in this game, turnovers (Tampa had Two, Detroit Zero). Granted the penalties, especially the mental ones that can be avoided. They do look a bit disappointing. But, they can and will happen.
The 4th quarter starts off tied. The Lions have the ball and are driving down the field to get to the 31-yard line where we saw our 12th pick overall, Jahmyr Gibbs go for 31 yards Off tackle where he just speeds past the defense for a long TD. 17-24 Lions.
The Buccaneers stall out again and have to punt the ball. Lions drive down take another strike through the air to Amon-Ra (The Sun God) St. Brown to go up 17-31.
Bucs finally answer back with a 17 yard strike to Mike Evans. Instead of taking the extra point, and getting within 7. The Buccaneers go for the 2 point conversion. It fails with perfect coverage. 23-31 Lions. We have a game. Lions drive stalls with just under 2 minutes as Jack Fox (IMO Best Punter in the NFL) pins Tampa back at the 10 yard line.
On Baker’s 2nd pass attempt. We see Lions LBer Derrick Barnes make the game sealing interception. Jared Goff gets to take three knees in everyone in the NFL’s favorite formation. The Victory one.
Not going to lie, I cried for 20 minutes at the end of the game. Like the last cheerleader, finally getting asked to go to Prom her Junior Year of HS. I’m so proud of our Motor City Lions and their first 14 win season in NFL History! Playoffs included!
Final Score:
TPA 23
DET 31
PS: On to the National Football Conference Championship Game to face the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco!
Thanks For Reading!!!
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