On Sunday at Ford Field, the Buccaneers will take on the Lions in a rematch of last year's NFC Divisional Round game. With offseason acquisitions, both teams have shifted and are coming off wins in Week One. In 2023, Lions' Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson orchestrated a top-five passing attack with production from quarterback Jared Goff, complementary backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, along with rookie sensation Sam LaPorta and versatile phenom Amon-Ra St. Brown. For the Bucs on Sunday, stopping the run and not surrendering plays over the top will be pivotal.
"They have a great one-two punch," said Head Coach Todd Bowles via Bucs Total Access. "Gibbs is very explosive, and he can go to the house at any time and I think Montgomery does a good job slicing through the middle and is very tough. They can catch screens; they can catch out of the backfield and both of them can block."
Montgomery eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark last year and can make defenders miss by bouncing off tackles, while also running people over. He runs with outstanding strength and balance, making it hard for defenders to bring him down. Montgomery can effortlessly maneuver away from any arm tackle and presents a pass-catching upside. The Swiss Army Knife has all the tools of a gifted back and Gibbs creates another dimension for Dan Campbell. He accumulated 10 touchdowns and nabbed 52 receptions last season and the Lions' objective is to get Gibbs in space. Gibbs is adept off counter plays with pre-snap movement and is a go-to checkdown for Jared Goff. The slash runner can stretch defenses laterally and possesses lethal cuts and elite acceleration.
The Lions have another dynamic weapon in receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta. St. Brown has a variety of releases out of the slot in his arsenal and can stop on a dime. He became a first-team All-Pro in 2023 after posting career-highs in catches with 119, yards with 1,515 and touchdowns with 10. St. Brown takes advantage in the short-to-intermediate area of the field with leverage.
"He can do it all," noted Bowles on St. Brown. "He is very quick. He is very elusive in the slot and he can go outside and run deep balls and he can go in the backfield and run the ball, or he will run reverses and jet sweeps. He can do everything that a receiver can possibly do, whether it is a flea flicker or him running routes. He is a great route runner. He gets in-and-out of breaks very well, so it makes him a very tough cover."
LaPorta, the Lions' second-round pick in 2023, took the NFL by storm by producing one of the most prolific seasons for a rookie tight end in league archives. He topped record-books with a preposterous 86 receptions and 10 touchdowns. LaPorta is a focal point in the Lions' offense and has impressive run-after-catch skills. He can do it all: stretch the field vertically, win at the point of attack with strength in-line and has stellar footwork and feel on routes. LaPorta can extend beyond his frame to haul in passes and has the skills to fight through jams at the line of scrimmage.
"He is a tight end, but he is a receiver," described Bowles. "He can do all the things that wideouts can do but he can block and overpower you on the inside, so when you have that kind of power and athleticism, it makes him a tough cover."
