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    • Aidan Hutchinson shines, coaching accident hurts
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    Aidan Hutchinson shines, coaching accident hurts

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    Detroit — Richard Silva assesses the Detroit Lions’ performance during their 20-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

    Quarterback

    One of Jared Goff’s interceptions probably shouldn’t have counted — a Buccaneers defender appeared to jam receiver Jameson Williams early in his route in the first quarter, throwing off the timing of the play — but Goff put the ball in serious jeopardy. At least a couple more passes could have been intercepted, and his second INT of the day was a costly one in the fourth quarter that ended one of Detroit’s numerous chances to take the lead. The sky isn’t falling, but it’s been a less-than-ideal start for Goff in two games. Grade: D+

    Backrunners

    After David Montgomery put the team on his back in Week 1, it was Jahmyr Gibbs who made plays at running back in Week 2. Gibbs finished with 106 yards from scrimmage — the fifth time in his young 17-game career he’s topped the 100-yard mark — and had a crucial fourth-down pickup in the fourth quarter that kept the Lions alive. Gibbs was able to showcase his quickness and contact balance throughout, and Montgomery added the team’s lone touchdown. Grade: B

    Wide receivers/tight ends

    Points were hard to come by, but yards were plentiful against the Bucs. The Lions outrebounded the visitors 463-216, with much of that production coming from Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. That receiving duo combined for 198 yards on 16 catches (12.4 yards per reception), including a 50-yard heave from Goff to Williams in the first quarter. St. Brown was everywhere after being quiet in Week 1, being targeted 19 times by Goff. Tight end Sam LaPorta was limited to just 13 yards. Grade: B+

    Offensive line

    Goff wasn’t sacked, but the offensive line allowed the Bucs to pile up 10 quarterback hurries. That directly contributed to Goff’s erratic play. Look no further than Goff’s second interception, where he took a snap on the loose and looked like he wasn’t throwing the ball to anyone in particular. Goff has consistently shown himself to be one of the best QBs in the NFL when he stays clean, and the offensive line expects him to do that job week in and week out. Detroit’s RBs are averaging nearly five yards per carry, so that’s a win for the OL. Grade: C+

    Line of defense

    It’s no exaggeration to say that this was the best game of Aidan Hutchinson’s career, both at the professional and collegiate levels. Hutchinson was a monster in the first quarter, recording three sacks before the first frame ended en route to recording a career-best 4.5 takedowns of the quarterback. He didn’t have much help rushing Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, as Levi Onwuzurike shared the final sack of the game with Hutchinson. What Detroit’s front did do well was defend the run; Tampa Bay’s RB averaged 2.4 yards per carry. Mayfield did, however, make some key plays with his legs. Grade: A-

    Linebackers

    It felt like a pretty quiet day for the linebackers, as LB Alex Anzalone, who’s always around, left early due to concussion protocol. Jack Campbell had a pair of tackles for loss and Derrick Barnes made a key pass deflection on third down late in the fourth quarter, giving Detroit its last chance. The Lions need Anzalone, who plays one of the team’s most important roles in the middle of the defense. Grade: B-

    Secondary

    Versatile defensive back Brian Branch dropped an interception last week, but he made up for it against the Bucs by snagging one of Mayfield’s passes out of the air and stopping the Bucs just before halftime. Branch also finished with six tackles, tying Campbell for the team-high total. Where the secondary went south most came in the second quarter, when a coverage error left Chris Godwin wide open for a 41-yard touchdown. It’s unclear who made the mistake, but rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold and safety Kerby Joseph both ended up covering receiver Mike Evans. Even with that blunder, Mayfield was held to fewer than 200 passing yards. Grade: B

    Special teams

    Kicker Jake Bates continues to impress. He hasn’t attempted a long-range kick yet this season, but he’s been perfect 5-for-5 from 22 to 35 yards and has connected on every one of his extra points. Jack Fox has been just as consistent in scoring, twice pinning the Bucs deep in their own territory at the 13- and 9-yard lines. The only mistake here was when Tom Kennedy returned a kickoff that would have been a touchback had he simply let it bounce in the end zone. Kennedy eventually returned it to the 22-yard line, eight yards short of a touchback. There also appeared to be some confusion on that play, with Kalif Raymond also attempting to catch the ball instead of blocking for him. It’s not between Kennedy and Raymond on the right. Grade: A-

    Accompaniment

    Head coach Dan Campbell has now taken responsibility for the late-half blunder on multiple occasions. With 18 seconds left in the second quarter, Goff completed a pass to St. Brown, who was in the lane with about 11 seconds left. There was a mix-up, with the offense trying to spike the ball and the field-goal unit trying to run upfield. Goff spiked the ball, and the Lions were assessed an excess manning penalty, which resulted in a 10-second runoff that cost Detroit a three-point shot. Things would have been different in the second half, of course, had the score been different, but the Lions could have used those points down the stretch. Grade: D+

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    @rich_silva18

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