GAME DAY! TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS VS. DETROIT LIONS

Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Site: Raymond James Stadium (65,908) 2010 Records: Tampa Bay 10-6, Detroit 6-10 Network Television: FOX

Play-by-Play: Chris Myers, Analyst: Tim Ryan, Sideline: Jennifer Hale Bucs Radio: US 103.5, flagship station (103.5 FM, 620 AM) Play-by-Play: Gene Deckerhoff, Color: Dave Moore, Sideline: T.J. Rives Last Game: Tampa Bay lost to Washington, 29-24; Detroit won at Buffalo, 16-6

Editorial- Nick Houllis
 It’s here, one of the more anticipated Tampa Bay Buccaneers opening days in a long time; perhaps since 2006 or maybe even longer than that. 2005 was supposed to be a rebuilding year after the Bucs finished 7-9 and 5-11 in the two seasons following the Super Bowl. But instead the Bucs went 11-5 behind the running of Cadillac Williams and a tough as nails, No.1 ranked defense. 
Instead, the defense collapsed. It was the end of an era, as Simeon Rice met the end of his career, as did Chris Simms who never started out well, then injured his spleen. The Bucs ended up with a losing season once again, but the anticipation of that 2006 season was high.
So too is todays game against the Detroit Lions. Last year the Bucs came off a 3 win season, anything would have been an improvement, but this year, going 8-8 would be a real bummer for Bucs fans that are seeing the birth of a new generation of stars.
It was obvious from the outcome of the opening day in 2006, a 27-0 shutout to the Baltimore Ravens that it would all fall down like a house of cards. The Ravens took the opening kickoff and held the ball for 8 minutes to score a TD. Oddly enough, the LAST drive of 2006 was an 8 minute drive to keep the ball out of Mike Alstotts hands. 
Opening days have a way of giving a compact reflection on what the season will hold. The Bucs started out cold but caught fire in the 4th quarter and came from behind vs Cleveland in last years opener. It was the same pattern all year. But the Super Bowl season watched the Bucs struggle to pass protect and resulted in a loss vs the Saints in 2002. Sometimes, especially with a new coach, there is growth from game 1 to 16 and its not a measurement to what the season will be.
Whatever happens today, there is no need to over react both positively or negative in nature. A big time loss to Detroit means little other than raising a red flag, and a 28-0 win will secure no playoff spot. But the anticipation, the excitement felt by everyone on opening day, is that one special time for all teams to cherish. About 5 teams with poor 2010 seasons will experience a cinderella season, while about the same amount of good teams last year will have bad campains and their fans will be disapointed. That is just the way it works. 
Getting ready to watch my 31st opening day for the Bucs ( I didnt become a Bucs fan until week 2 1979), I can tell you I’ve never been more excited, more ready for Bucs football in all the years Ive been putting on my lucky shirt for the season. 
Enjoy the moment- the Bucs are 0-0, tied for first place in the NFC South a half game ahead of New Orleans, and for the next 5 months, our favorite sport is in its prime.
GO BUCS!

All-Time Series

The Buccaneers have won seven of the last ten meetings with the Lions, but Detroit leads the all-time regular season series 28-25. Tampa also pre- vailed 20-10 in a wildcard playoff win in Tampa during the 1997 season. The teams first met in 1977, a 16-7 Lions victory at the Silverdome. The Bucs’ first win over the Lions came in the 1979 season opener, a 31-16 triumph that propelled Tampa Bay to its first NFC Central title. Two years later, the Bucs captured their second division crown with a 20-17 win at Detroit on the season’s final Sunday. The series see-sawed throughout the 1980s, with the Lions holding a 10-9 edge. Detroit went on a five-game streak, starting in 1994. The Bucs ended the streak in 1997 with a 24-17 win in Pontiac. Later that year, Tampa Bay said farewell to Tampa Stadium with a 20-10 Wild Card victory over the Lions before 73,361 fans. Tampa Bay had won the previous meeting between the two teams in 2008, but lost last season in Tampa, 23- 20.

SERIES BY THE NUMBERS

Overall Regular Season Series: ……………….. Detroit leads series, 28-25
Home Record vs. Detroit Lions:…………………………………………. 13-13
Road Record vs. Detroit Lions:………………………………………….. 12-15
Current Streak:………………………………………… Lions, one game (2010)
Buccaneers Longest Streak:…………………………. Four games (2001-05)
Lions Longest Streak: …………………………………..Five games (1994-96)
Regular Season Point Total:…………………Buccaneers 916 – Lions 1,117
Most Points, Buccaneers:………. 38, twice, last Buccaneers 38-20 (2008)
Most Points, Lions: …………………………38, twice, last Lions 38-7 (1992)
Most Points, both teams: ……………………. 59, Buccaneers 38-21 (1990)
Fewest Points, Buccaneers: ………. 0, three times, last Lions 27-0 (1996)
Fewest Points, Lions:………. 10, five times, last Buccaneers 31-10 (2000)
Fewest Points, both teams: …………………………..11, Lions 11-0 (1983)