Detroit News

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News After watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers effortlessly hang 47 points on the Detroit Lions — marking the third time in five weeks the team’s defense has allowed at least 40 in a loss — recency bias might have left you wondering: Is this the worst defense in NFL history? Well, no. In terms

Jerry Green  |  Special to The Detroit News It was late on a Sunday pro football afternoon, and the media mob stood anxiously at the elevator in the pressbox at the tiptop of Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, awaiting the ride below. This game was over. Two seconds remained, and the Lions had rallied and

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Detroit — In a season filled with lows, this was rock bottom.  After falling behind 40 points early in the third quarter, the Detroit Lions did just enough to stave off the worst loss in franchise history. But that was the only consolation in the 47-7 loss to the Tampa

By David Brandt  |  Associated Press Glendale, Ariz. – The San Francisco 49ers limped into Saturday’s game with no more playoff hopes and a group that included third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard, unheralded running back Jeff Wilson and several defensive backups. Then they went out and pushed around the Arizona Cardinals anyway. Beathard threw three touchdown

John Niyo   | The Detroit News There is no mercy rule in the National Football League. No white flags, either. Just some yellow ones that fly periodically, and a red one that’s kept in the back pocket for emergency use only. Or in the case of Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians, for adding insult to

John Niyo   | The Detroit News There is no mercy rule in the National Football League. No white flags, either. Just some yellow ones that fly periodically, and a red one that’s kept in the back pocket for emergency use only. Or in the case of Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians, for adding insult to

Nolan Bianchi   | The Detroit News Detroit — It’s possible, perhaps even likely, that Tom Brady has played at Ford Field for the final time in his career. If that turns out to be the case, the 43-year-old quarterback certainly made a lasting impression. Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 47-7 beatdown of

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Detroit — Justin Rogers grades the Detroit Lions’ performance in their 47-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Quarterback After the Lions went 0-8 without Mathew Stafford last season, Chase Daniel was brought in to correct the team’s lack of a capable backup. But on the day the team

Nolan Bianchi   | The Detroit News Buccaneers put final touches on blowout win The Bucs take over at the 32, leading by a lot with a little bit of time left. Ke’Shawn Vaughn has gains of 1 and 4 yards. The Lions get a sack on third down.  Buccaneers 47, Lions 7 (2:19 4th) The

Eric Coughlin  |  Special to The Detroit News The 2020 season is drawing to a close for the Detroit Lions after having been eliminated from playoff contention last week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can secure a playoff spot in the NFC with a win or tie as the two teams clash in Week 16. In

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Detroit — Matthew Stafford entered Saturday’s game dealing with thumb and rib issues, but it was a new injury, a rolled ankle, that forced him out of the game after the Detroit Lions’ first offensive series.  On a second-down play near midfield, Stafford fired an incomplete pass to tight end

Nolan Bianchi   | The Detroit News Lions get first down from penalty, inevitably punt three plays later The Lions get it at the 25. They trail by 40 with 14:49 to go in the third quarter. D’Andre Swift gains 2 yards on first down, Danny Amendola promptly loses 2 yards on a second-down completion. A

The Detroit News  |  The Detroit News Justin Rogers, Rod Beard, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday’s Buccaneers at Lions game (1 p.m., NFL Network/WJR 760). ►Justin Rogers: COVID had a final surprise for the Lions before the clock ran out on 2020, knocking out a huge chunk

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Tom Brady made his debut against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2000. Two decades later, owning the most Super Bowl rings of any player in league history, he will become just the 12th to appear in 300 games.  “Yeah, I think it’s pretty cool,” Brady said

Matt Schoch  |  Special to The Detroit News Just a heads up, in case you haven’t heard. This week’s game is Saturday and it’s on NFL Network. You may already have holiday plans that day and you also may not have that channel. Check with your social scheduler and also your TV provider. But you

Matt Schoch  |  Special to The Detroit News Buccaneers at Lions Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday, Ford Field, Detroit TV/radio: NFL Network/760 AM Records: Buccaneers 9-5; Lions 5-9 Line: Buccaneers by 9.5 Matt Schoch breaks down the Lions’ Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for The Detroit News: Key matchup TOM BRADY AGAINST THE LIONS

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News The Detroit Lions ruled out wide receiver Kenny Golladay and offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby for Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while listing eight others as questionable.  It will mark the seventh straight contest Golladay has missed because of a hip injury, making it possible the pending free

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Only in 2020 would the Detroit Lions need an interim coach for their interim coach. With COVID-19 protocols sidelining five members of the team’s coaching staff for Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including Darrell Bevell, the Lions announced on Thursday it will turn to wide receivers coach Robert Prince

Angelique S. Chengelis   | The Detroit News Chris Spielman and his wife, Carrie, had a moment alone this summer, sitting on the back porch of a rented home on Lake Michigan overlooking the water. Those private times are rare in their blended family, which includes six children. But this trip, what Spielman called one of the best

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News The Detroit Lions announced they’ve completed interviews with three former general managers — Rick Smith, Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli — for the team’s vacancy. Smith most recently served as the Houston Texans general manager from 2006-17. He stepped down from the role at the end of the 2017 season to