Key Storylines Ahead of Bucs vs. Lions Week 2 Showdown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are returning to Detroit, where the team was eliminated about nine months ago.

Both the Bucs and Detroit Lions are poised to be NFC contenders again this season, and this is a big test for the Bucs who think they have made some improvements coming into this season against the team that was in the NFC Championship game a year ago.

Here are some key storylines to keep an eye out for:

Buccaneers Beat Up Secondary

The Buccaneers are thin at cornerback after losing three to injury in week 1, and losing safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for a couple of weeks doesn't help. Lions top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was held to just three catches and 13 yards in the Lions win over the Los Angeles Rams. However, second-year receiver Jameson Williams had a big night running right past the Rams' secondary. Unfortunately, Jamel Dean can't take both receivers simultaneously, so someone will need to step up in the defensive backs room.

Up Front Battle

Detroit is coming into this game with one of the best offensive lines in football which is why the team can be so balanced and unpredictable on offense. They name big names like Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and Penei Sewell. Winning the trenches will be necessary if Tampa Bay wants a chance at winning. A matchup to look out for is Sewell going up against OLB YaYa Diaby. Tampa Bay is dealing with injuries on the defensive line, and the linebacker group has to hold their own and not let the Detroit backs get behind them.

Related: Commanders Credit Bucs for Week 1 Victory, But ...?

Bucs Rush Defense

If the Buccaneers can't stop the run, they are going to have a hard time stopping this Detroit offense. With such a great offensive line and two elusive productive running backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions will run the ball a lot, and the key is not letting them get into favorable yardage-to-go situations where it's hard to predict whether they will run or pass. The Bucs also just allowed quarterback Jayden Daniels to rush all over them. The interior defensive line is a little thin, but the Bucs will need nose tackle Vita Vea to be a prominent run stuffer on Sunday.