The Detroit Lions’ NFL-record road losing streak is over.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff hopes are all but over.
Detroit went to Tampa Bay and pulled off an overtime upset, winning 23-20 in a back-and-forth battle highlighted by an absolutely sensational game by Calvin Johnson, who made leaping, diving catches all over the field, grabbing just about everything Lions third-string quarterback Drew Stanton threw in his general direction. Johnson finished the game with 10 catches for 152 yards, and my suggestion is that the Lions should just make some variation of “throw the ball four feet over Johnson’s head” Stanton’s first option on every play.
Stanton had a surprisingly efficient game, showing once again that he’s a good athlete who can use his feet to keep plays alive and can be effective as long as he avoids making too many mental mistakes. On the game, Stanton completed 23 of 37 passes for 252 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman had almost identical numbers to Stanton, completing 21 of 32 passes for 251 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. Even in defeat, Freeman continues to show that he’s a young quarterback the Bucs can build a good franchise around for years to come.
Just as Stanton and Freeman had similar numbers, the Bucs and Lions got similarly good games from running backs Maurice Morris (15 carries for 109 yards and one touchdown for the Lions) and LeGarrette Blount (15 carries for 110 yards and one touchdown for the Bucs).
It’s fitting that the Bucs and Lions had similar numbers in a mostly even game that went into overtime, because these are two similar young teams that both have a lot of promise. The Lions, who improved to 4-10, are probably better than their record indicates, while the Bucs, who fall to 8-6, are probably not quite as good as their record would suggest. But both teams look like they’re heading in the right direction, even if Buccaneers fans aren’t happy with today’s ending.
