Lions vs. Buccaneers matchups to watch

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will bounce back from his quiet Week 1. That’s not a worry. He could draw a tough assignment against Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean. But the receiver we’ll focus on here is Jameson Williams, following his huge Week 1 with 121 yards and a touchdown. Williams may have a chance to continue his breakout run with the Buccaneers already banged up at the cornerback position.

Starting cornerback Zyon McCollum left the game after just 11 snaps due to a concussion. It is unclear as of yet if he will play Sunday. His replacement, Bryce Hall, reportedly suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula in Week 1. In addition, Bucs star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has a foot injury. Needless to say, this isn’t a week the Bucs want to be dealing with injuries like this.

Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike had a strong start to his 2024 season with three quarterback pressures, two stops and a half-sack against the Rams. The Buccaneers look to have an improved offensive line, particularly on the interior with the addition of center Graham Barton. If the Lions are going to slow down the hot start for the Buccaneers offense, they have to get to quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was only sacked once in Week 1. Certainly, Aidan Hutchinson will be involved but Onwuzurike will need to continue leading the charge on the interior. One nugget to chew on, only one Buccaneers offensive lineman — Tristan Wirfs, 83.6 — received a pass-blocking grade of above a 70 from Pro Football Focus. Guard Cody Mauch had a 41.6 grade.

The Lions held the Rams’ rushing attack in check, allowing just 66 yards on 20 rushing attempts to running backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers. They’ll another good test this week when they look to stop Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. White may not have had a strong day on the ground — 31 yards on 15 carries — but he made up for it in the passing game with 75 yards on six catches. The linebackers for Detroit will have their hands full this week but a player like Alex Anzalone has shown plenty of times he can step up and help control an opponent’s backfield action.

Penei Sewell has already shown why he deserves to be one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in football. He was the highest-graded Lion by Pro Football Focus in pass blocking in Week 1. He’ll look to continue his stretch against an intriguing young pass-rusher in Buccaneers outside linebacker Yay Diaby. The 2023 third-round pick had four pressures on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 1. Diaby had 7.5 sacks and 26 quarterback pressures as a rookie, becoming a nice complement to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka on the edge.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels may have been named Rookie of the Week for Week 1, but one can make a good argument for Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold. The Rams went after the rookie Sunday night — targeted ten times — and he held his own against Cooper Kupp and company — allowed seven catches for just 47 yards. There may be times this week he goes up against the great Mike Evans or perhaps Chris Godwin or even rookie Jalen McMillan. Whoever it is, it’s another chance for Arnold to prove he can hang with the big boys.