- WHERE: Ford Field (Detroit)
- WHEN: 7 p.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, NFL+
Two contending teams kick off the NFL's fourth Monday night doubleheader of the season, as the Buccaneers head to Detroit to face the Lions.
Tampa Bay is riding a two-game winning streak with Baker Mayfield taking his play to an MVP level. Despite the Bucs dealing with a handful of injuries to key players, Mayfield has lifted Tampa Bay's unit into one of the lethal offenses in the league. With rookie star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Mayfield kept his aggressive play on the ground and in the air. The Bucs QB will look to continue his hot start to the season on the road in Detroit.
As for Detroit, the Lions are coming off a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. It was the first time since Week 1 that Detroit failed to score 30-plus points in a game. Detroit's defense couldn't contain Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. They'll look to bounce back going against a tough Tampa Bay defense.
Can the Bucs continue to build their gap in the NFC South? Or will the Lions bounce back under the bright lights on Monday Night Football?
Two must-know storylines
1) Mayfield looks to continue MVP-level play
The MVP chatter around Baker Mayfield is heating up and his stats to kick off the 2025 season certainly put him in the conversation among the best quarterbacks. Even with different injuries happening to key offensive players -- Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs have each missed a game or more this season -- Mayfield has captained the Buccaneers' ship smoothly. Despite missing talented pieces on offense from week to week, Mayfield is the only QB with more than 10 pass touchdowns and one interception. The Bucs offense faces a Detroit defense that has allowed 13 pass touchdowns, which is tied for fourth-most in the league. More help for Tampa Bay could be on the way this week. Rookie star wideout Emeka Egbuka and Evans are officially questionable for Monday's contest. Egbuka leads all rookie WRs in receptions (27), receiving yards (469) and touchdowns (5). Mayfield has taken care of business with whomever is on the field for Tampa Bay, but if Evans and Egbuka can suit up, the Bucs QB could have a big night in prime time.
2) Jared Goff versus stingy Bucs defense
The Lions QB leads the league with 14 pass touchdowns and a 75.9% completion percentage entering Week 7. Detroit's matchup against Todd Bowles' defense is an intriguing one with Goff being one of the best this season versus the blitz. The Bucs defense has a 35.5 blitz percentage (fifth-highest in the NFL), while Goff leads all QBs with a 137.1 passer rating against the blitz, according to Next Gen Stats. When Goff has to make intermediate throws (10-19 air yards), he ranks first with 530 pass yards and a 153.9 passer rating. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the best red zone threats in the league this season. St. Brown in the red zone has produced six touchdown catches. Even though St. Brown has been Goff's go-to target the last couple of seasons in Detroit, the Lions QB isn't afraid to distribute the ball to other playmakers. The Lions have an NFL-high five players with multiple receiving TDs. And don't forget the Lions' lethal running game with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Buccaneers' Week 7 injury report
| Player | Game status | Thurs. practice | Fri. practice | Sat. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Bridgewater, QB (illness) | QUESTIONABLE | --- | --- | DNP |
| Lavonte David, LB (knee/rib) | QUESTIONABLE | DNP | DNP | FP |
| Riley Dixon, P (personal) | --- | DNP | FP | FP |
| Emeka Egbuka, WR (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE | DNP | DNP | LP |
| Mike Evans, WR (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | DNP | FP |
| Chris Godwin Jr., WR (fibula) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Luke Haggard, G (shoulder) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Bucky Irving, RB (foot/shoulder) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Zyon McCollum, CB (thumb) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Benjamin Morrison, CB (hamstring) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Josh Williams, RB (concussion) | OUT | DNP | DNP | LP |
Lions' Week 7 injury report
| Player | Game status | Thurs. practice | Fri. practice | Sat. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrion Arnold, CB (shoulder) | OUT | DNP | LP | DNP |
| Zach Cunningham (hamstring) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Taylor Decker, OT (shoulder) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | DNP |
| Kerby Joseph, S (knee) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Avonte Maddox, DB (hamstring) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Alim McNeill, DL (knee) | QUESTIONABLE | FP | FP | FP |
| Kalif Raymond, WR (personal) | --- | --- | --- | DNP |
| D.J. Reader, DT (back) | QUESTIONABLE | DNP | LP | LP |
| Sione Vaki, RB (groin) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
