The Buccaneers started the day announcing their inactives, highlighted by a few big names for the Bucs. We turn it over to Buccaneers.com's Scott Smith.
The Detroit Lions received the opening kickoff and converted on two third-down plays driving down to the Bucs' 32-yard line. On third down from there, time out was taken with an injured Buccaneer on the field.
McCoy would ultimately come back in on the next drive, but not before the Lions opted to go for it on third-and-one with McCoy off the field.
The Bucs offense would go three-and-out on their first possession of the game and the Lions got back to work. Despite some solid pressure and coverage from the Buccaneers throughout the drive, the Lions would come out of their second possession with the game's first points.
Tampa Bay looked to answer back and eventually worked their way to third-and-nine at midfield. We go to Twitter play-by-play artist, Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman for some highlights.
The rest of Twitter enjoyed the outcome of the third-and-nine play.
Nice call by Arroyo on the screen on third and 9. It was wide open. First down #Bucs at the 26 — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 7, 2014
Patrick Murray would end the drive with a 54-yard field goal, giving the Bucs their first points of the game.
The Tampa Bay defense keeped the momentum going by forcing a three-and-out with a great play from the defensive line.
On third down, McCown dropped back to pass. A tipped ball would fall into the hands of Glover Quin, giving the Lions great field position at the Bucs 34-yard line.
Eight plays later, the Lions punched it in from a yard out, taking their lead to 14-3.
Two Vincent Jackson catches moved the Bucs offense to the 35-yard line, but Detroit would again start with great field position after a second Bucs turnover.
The Bucs defense was able to minimize the damage and force a Detroit field goal.
Nice play by Alterraun Verner to come off of block and tackle Bush to force field goal attempt. it's good. Lions 17, #Bucs 3. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 7, 2014
The Bucs had the ball again with three minutes left in the half and the drive kicked off with another stunning Mike Evans grab.
Coming out of the two-minute warning, McCown scrambled and found Vincent Jackson deep down field, with bonus yards tacked on after the play.
On the next play, McCown would be picked off in the end zone, but the Bucs offense took it back on a double-turnover play.
DeAndre Levy took down McCown for an eight-yard sack. On third down, the Bucs couldn't get around the edge for a first down, but a Lions penalty gave the Bucs a first down at the five-yard line with seconds left. And...
Down 17-10 the Buccaneers offense was the first on the field in the second half, but would quickly be forced to punt it back to Detroit. The Lions' first play:
The defense would perform well in the red zone with Lavonte David breaking up the third-down pass and holding Detroit to a field goal.
Heavy pressure from the Lions forced another Buccaneers punt, but big stops from the defense ultimately forced a three-and-out of their own.
Jacquies Smith's motor is the highlight of the #Bucs defense today. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 7, 2014
The Bucs punted it back to the Lions who started their drive from the 12-yard line, taking it down into the Buccaneers red zone before we heard more injury news for the Bucs defense.
Detroit faced second down at the two-yard line.
The Bucs offense again took the field, looking to answer and stay in the game with points of their own. Here's Twitter to call the drive.
And to cap off the drive, who other than…
The Bucs defense followed the touchdown with another big stand, highlighting another three-and-out with some solid hits.
Offensive pass interference and a holding penalty would end a Bucs drive, forcing another punt. Lions' ball:
And the Lions would again find the end zone again, this time on a crazy pass play tipped at the goal line and brought in for a score.
Two sacks of McCown forced the Bucs to punt from their five-yard line and the Lions took over with about three minute left in the game. Running out the clock, the Lions turn it over on downs. Bucs ball at their own 40-yard line with 2:20 to go.
The Bucs would use all four downs trying to put together another touchdown, but the drive would end with a McCown sack and the Lions would end the game taking a knee.
