Mon Sep 16 16:13:19 UTC 2024: ## Buccaneers Outlast Lions in Gritty Victory, Mayfield Leads Comeback

**DETROIT -** The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled off a thrilling 20-16 upset victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, overcoming a 7.5-point underdog status and a litany of injuries to secure their second win of the season.

The victory was particularly sweet for the Buccaneers, who were looking for revenge after losing to the Lions twice last season, including a playoff defeat in the divisional round.

“We had this game circled,” said Buccaneers outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. “We seen it. Y’all seen how it ended last year. We had it on our mind basically all offseason – these are the types of games you have to win.”

The game was a tight affair throughout, with the Lions holding a narrow lead for much of the contest. However, a late touchdown run by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who also threw for 185 yards and a touchdown, propelled the Buccaneers to victory.

Mayfield, who faced constant pressure from the Lions’ defense, including 4.5 sacks by Aidan Hutchinson, was forced to rely on his scrambling ability to make plays. His 11-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career.

“Eleven yards? That’s so sad,” Mayfield joked after the game. “I wasn’t expecting to get in the end zone from that far out, but make a couple of guys miss and good things happen.”

The Buccaneers also had to overcome a slew of injuries, with key players like right tackle Luke Goedeke, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and defensive tackle Vita Vea missing the game due to various ailments. Despite the absences, the Bucs’ defense held strong, limiting the Lions to just one touchdown.

“No Calijah, no Antoine, Vita goes down halfway through, a ton of guys [stepped] up,” said Mayfield. “I can’t say enough about our defense, especially in the fourth quarter – bend-don’t-break mentality.”

The victory was a testament to the Buccaneers’ resilience and determination. It also showed their commitment to building a winning culture, something that was a major focus for the team this offseason.

“Building chemistry and building this resiliency and the culture that we want – this is a huge win for us, and so we have to continue to build on that,” said Mayfield.

The Buccaneers will look to continue their winning ways next week when they host the Denver Broncos. For now, they will savor their hard-fought victory over the Lions and look forward to building on their early-season success.

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