TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers grabbed the NFL’s attention on Sunday with a 20-16 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field — the site of last season’s playoff exit.
On Monday, News Channel 8’s Dan Lucas sat down with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles for their weekly “Bucs with Bowles” interview, focusing on the team’s ability to overcome key injuries before and during the game.
Offensively, the Bucs had to contend with an elite pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, matching up backup tackle Justin Skule in place of Luke Goedeke, who missed the game while remaining in the concussion protocol.
Hutchinson made quick work of disrupting things recording three quarterback sacks, in the first quarter alone. By day’s end, Hutchinson finished with 4.5 sacks, a big day for any defensive player.
The Bucs still managed to score two touchdowns, the second — an 11-yard run by quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The game wound up in the hands of the Bucs defense, playing without defensive lineman Calijah Kancey and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. During the game, the defense lost another leader, defensive lineman Vita Vea, who suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, according to Bowles.