By Colton Pouncy, Nick Baumgardner and Amos Morale III<\/p>\n
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 218 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns to lead his team\u2019s 24-9 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on \u201cMonday Night Football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gibbs rushed for 136 yards on 17 carries and added 82 yards receiving on three catches. The first of his two touchdowns was a 78-yard sprint to give the Lions a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
His performance paced Detroit\u2019s offense, while the Lions\u2019 short-handed defense got impressive performances from the reserves stepping into bigger roles.<\/p>\n
Lions\u2019 defense makes statement<\/p>\n
This Detroit defense \u2014 missing a starting edge, two starting cornerbacks and both starting safeties \u2014 was able to hold Baker Mayfield and a short-handed Bucs offense in check, in a major way.<\/p>\n
This was a stellar night for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and his unit. He often says the standards don\u2019t drop when starters aren\u2019t available, and that proved true on this night. The Lions limited Tampa Bay to just nine points, 251 yards and 3.8 yards per play. They forced two turnovers and three turnovers on downs.<\/p>\n
Mayfield never quite settled in, and played this game without Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving, with Mike Evans exiting in the first half with what was later announced as a broken collarbone<\/a>. But credit the Detroit defense for coming through when necessary. \u2014 Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer<\/p>\n Time to recharge<\/p>\n The Lions are 5-2 heading into a much-needed bye week. If you told the fan base that before the season, they\u2019d certainly take it. The Lions should get key players back for Week 9 against the Vikings, like Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and potentially Terrion Arnold and Marcus Davenport. The time off will let them rest up and prepare for a second half that will have tests. But what we\u2019ve learned in the first half is that this Lions team \u2014 despite the coaching turnover this offseason \u2014 is still here. \u2014 Pouncy<\/p>\n Tough trip<\/p>\n Monday night brought optimism early for Tampa Bay, as the Bucs dressed Evans and Emeka Egbuka, both talented receivers. In the end, though, the Bucs left Detroit more banged up than they were when the day began \u2014 with a welcome-back-to-Earth style loss.<\/p>\n The Bucs mustered fewer than 60 yards in the first half and wasted a terrific defensive game plan from Todd Bowles. Tampa Bay, now 5-2, is back on the road Sunday at New Orleans. \u2014 Nick Baumgardner, NFL writer<\/p>\n Few bright spots for Tampa Bay<\/p>\n