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Detroit Lions survive late surge to beat the Bucs, 24-21

By Steven Mullenax

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 10: Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions runs into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Lions won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 10: Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions runs into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Lions won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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After being in the lead for much of the game, the Detroit Lions survived a fourth quarter surge by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win, 24-21.

The Detroit Lions Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a bit of a role reversal for the Motor City. You see, it’s usually the Lions making the fourth quarter comeback to try and win the game.

On Sunday, Detroit found themselves defending a late game offensive surge by the Bucs, with Tampa Bay scoring 14 points in the final frame. The Lions ended up winning the match 24-21 on a Matt Prater field goal with :25 second left in the game.

Having a 6-6 win/loss record prior to Sunday’s contest in Florida, every game is now a must win for the Lions. And so this victory keeps Detroit’s slim playoff hopes alive with three games left in the regular season.

Coming off a injury suffered to his throwing hand in last weekend’s 44-20 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford enter Sunday’s contest against the Buccaneers with a questionable tag. But the NFL’s highest paid player was able to tough it out, completing 36 of his 44 passes for a whopping 381 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Lions ground game continues to struggle. But running back Theo Riddick did score twice on the ground, rushing for 29 yards on 10 carries. Riddick also caught six passes for 64 yards.

Tight end Eric Ebron led the team with 10 receptions for 94 yards. Wide receiver Golden Tate posted eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, safety Glover Quin led the team with nine combined tackles and had a forced fumble. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah and rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis both recorded sacks against the Bucs. Cornerback Darius Slay and safety Quandre Diggs each posted an interception.

Next: Matthew Stafford’s Top 5 Game Winning Drives

The 7-6 Detroit Lions will now head back home to face their divisional rivals, the 4-9 Chicago Bears, at Ford Field. That game will be played on Saturday, December 16th starting at 4:30 p.m. EST.

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