Time was when the preseason was something you just disgarded once the regular season started. Perhaps in this year of Lockouts and inactivity, it was a recipe to do something different for a change. Almost all the preseason results held firm for the days opening early games in week one of the regular season.
The Bucs offense was completely lifeless, and while the Bucs defense did a solid job controling the Lions running game, at least at first, eventually the simple basics of heat and fatigue took over once the Bucs could not get first downs and forced the defense to stay on the field for most of the game.
Clearly, these Bucs were not ready to play this game against a Detroit Lions team that took preseason a little more seriously. Look around the league;
Kansas City looked horrible in the preseason- They dropped a home opener to Buffalo of all teams, by 30; in a stadium the Chiefs have always had an advantage at.
The Atlanta Falcons finished 0-4 in the preseason, but who cares, its just the preseason right? The Falcons dropped their opener in Chicago by several touchdowns.
Isn’t Baltimore’s defense so 2000’s? They beat down the Steelers.
While its not the way you want to start your season, there wasnt a lot of harm done as long as the Bucs players themselves can put this one behind them. With Carolina’s loss to Arizona, all 4 teams in the NFC South will start out 0-1, and its a long season to know whether or not a tie breaker will be needed against Detroit.
The Defense now has their game legs, and the offense surely knows their work is cut out for them. They got a little rhythm in the 4th quarter but the run game is something that is concerning. That and the complete lack of a deep passing attack.
Report card coming soon…
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