Huddled around their TVs and gathered at Ford Field, Detroit Lions fans are brimming with excitement and buzzing with predictions for the Week 2 faceoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From comment sections to spirited discussions on forums, the confidence is palpable, even if it's peppered with the usual Lions fan precaution.
According to a recent SB Nation Reacts Survey conducted by Erik Schlitt at Pride of Detroit, an overwhelming 97% of fans are convinced that the Lions are on the right path despite a less-than-dominating win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. Although the win left some wanting more, with fans feeling that “a win is a win,” there's been no shortage of optimism heading into the matchup against the Buccaneers.
The poll results are clear: 61% of fans believe the Lions will not only win but also cover the 7.5-point spread set by FanDuel Sportsbook. Another 35% think a win is in the cards, even if it's not a runaway victory, while a mere 4% fear an upset.
Lions fans like AnthonyGalatti have voiced their approval: “What I’ve earned from watching the Lions under the new regime is that they are not particularly interested in piling up scores. Instead, they focus on keeping their lead, maintaining possession, and wearing down defenses with their fantastic run game, which is fine and dandy with me since a win is a win, be it by one point or by fifty points!” (Schlitt).
On the other hand, fans like Izzo4POTUS are cautiously optimistic: “Most likely outcome is the Lions play much better and win big. Of course, I will be worried about Goff and the secondary until I actually see them having a good game. Luckily we proved we can beat good teams even if we aren’t firing on all cylinders” (Schlitt).
The fans’ focus and excitement extend to individual players as well. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a hot topic after finishing Week 1 with minimal action—just three catches for 17 yards. St. Brown remains unbothered, focusing on the team’s success over personal stats. “A win is the most important thing for us to get to where we need to go, one week at a time,” he said this week. “Obviously, you’d love to have catches and whatnot, yards, but we found a way to win” (Jeremy Reisman, Pride Of Detroit).
With the Buccaneers' secondary bruised, including potential absences like that of safety Antoine Winfield Jr., predictions for St. Brown’s performance are climbing. Last season, he averaged 94.7 yards per game, torching the Bucs for 124 yards and a touchdown in their regular season matchup, as well as 77 yards and a TD in the Divisional Round (Reisman).
The narrative isn't just about what the Lions can do but also about containing the Bucs’ threats. Baker Mayfield threw a whopping four touchdowns in Week 1, spreading the wealth among Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and newcomer Jalen McMillan (Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire). Mayfield’s resurgence is a wild card that has fans intrigued as well as cautious.
In the grand scheme, what ties all these threads together is the unyielding faith of Lions fans. They are a hopeful lot, rallying behind their team with an optimistic yet grounded zeal. As Week 2 approaches, the collective sentiment is clear:
What other sites are saying about this topic
How Lions fans expect Week 2 vs. the Buccaneers to play out from Erik Schlitt, Pride Of Detroit
Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down Detroit's matchup against Tampa Bay with Buccaneers Wire from Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire
Discussion: How many yards will Amon-Ra St. Brown have vs. the Buccaneers from Jeremy Reisman, Pride Of Detroit