Goff had the Lions' longest run at halftime, at 7 yards. Montgomery struggled to get anything going between the tackles, and he was guilty of a crippling chop block, wiping out a 25-yard gain on third-and-10 early in the third quarter. The Bucs were all over the Lions' run game early, especially when David Montgomery was on the field, using a five-man front to close down every gap up front. Give a lot of credit to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for making adjustments to his offensive approach. Lions' run game slowed early, but Jahmyr Gibbs busted it open. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported prior to the game that Mayfield and the Bucs are interested in a reunion, and that shouldn't change after Sunday.ģ. The two turnovers stung, but Mayfield's competitiveness can't be forgotten this season. But Mayfield was also rewarded for his toughness, bouncing off a would-be sack for an incredible 13-yard pass in stride to Otton, then hitting him for 27 more yards the next play to set up that third-quarter score.

He was sacked four times, and he arguably should have been ruled down for a fifth one the play before White's TD grab. But Mayfield rallied the Bucs time and time again, heating up in the second quarter and continuing to attack the Detroit secondary. The Bucs' first possession of the game also ended in an INT, although that pass went right off Mike Evans' hands. Mayfield tried to squeeze a low-percentage pass into tight end Cade Otton, but it was undercut by Barnes for a pick that ended the game. But his crushing interception with 1:35 remaining ended all hopes of the Bucs' wild season continuing. Mayfield had a lot to do with that success, too. The Bucs scratched their way into the playoffs, beat the defending NFC champs in the first round and gave the Lions everything they could handle on Sunday. Mayfield bet on himself this season with a one-year deal, and the bet paid off. Baker Mayfield's fourth-quarter pick ends comeback season. But without Goff's fourth-quarter rally, the Lions might have been at home next week.Ģ. There was also a Lions offensive line that gutted it out despite Jonah Jackson and Frank Ragnow getting hurt, although Ragnow returned and was a big part of the win.

Brown's 16-yard catch on a crucial third-and-15).

There were also plenty of assists for Goff's effort, including the run game, some terrific play calls (check out the 29-yard throwback to Brock Wright) and some brilliant individual efforts (including Amon-Ra St. When the Bucs made it a one-score game late, Goff and the Lions stayed aggressive but couldn't quite close it out, needing Derrick Barnes' interception in the final two minutes to seal it. Goff hit his first 11 passes for 131 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter, leading touchdown drives of 75 and 89 yards to give the Lions a two-score lead. All the momentum favored Tampa when Rachaad White scored at the end of the third quarter, but Goff and the Lions' offense got hot to start the fourth quarter. Goff did settle in, hitting seven straight passes at one point, but a lot of his completions were short. On Sunday, Goff didn't come out on fire the way he did against the Rams, starting the game 2 of 6 passing with a third-down pass batted down and a wayward pass that should have been intercepted by the Bucs' Jamel Dean in the end zone. Jared Goff comes alive in the fourth quarter.

Game roadblocks