Detroit Lions: 5 players who roared against the Bucs
The Detroit Lions posted their first victory of 2018 on Friday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here are five outstanding players from the matchup.
The Detroit Lions got their first win of the Matt Patricia era on Friday night. The Lions faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their third preseason matchup of the year.
After being down 27-6 midway through the third quarter, Detroit rallied back to win the ballgame 33-30, scoring 20 points in the final frame. Following the exhibition, here are five Lions who really stood out to me in the contest.
LeGarrette Blount, Running Back
Racking up 45 rushing yards on 11 carries, Blount displayed the power-running style the Lions desperately need in order to convert those short-yardage plays. It was an element missing from this roster last season, and the veteran back put on a show against the Bucs. Blount appears to be a lock to start Week One. And although it’s not always pretty, his presence is certainly an upgrade in the backfield.
Brandon Powell, Wide Receiver
The 5-foot-8, 181-pound undrafted wide receiver out of Florida has been this year’s version of Jace Billingsley in the preseason. Recording 15 catches through three preseason games, leading the Lions with six receptions for 45 yards against the Bucs, Powell’s 80-yard punt return for a touchdown rallied Detroit to a late-game victory on Friday night. Still not a lock to make the active roster, the rookie has one last game to try and prove he belongs on the final 53.
Hakeem Valles, Tight End
No one tight end has stood out this preseason more than Valles as a receiver. The second-year player out of Monmouth recorded three catches for 38 yards in the team’s third preseason contest, the second-highest receiving total for Detroit against Tampa Bay. Valles has proven to be a reliable receiver and could make some noise in the regular season.
Ricky Jean Francois, Defensive Tackle
I was really impressed with the play of the 31-year old veteran against the Buccaneers on Friday night. Jean Francois was every bit a disruptor in the Lions’ third preseason game. He was a great run-defender, racking up six combined tackles, the second highest total on Detroit’s defense. Jean Francois was also an effective pass rusher from the defensive tackle position, able to put pressure on the opposing quarterback from his place along the interior of the defensive line.
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Jake Rudock, Quarterback
Seemingly in a neck-and-neck race for the primary backup quarterback position with veteran Matt Cassel, Rudock led an impressive final drive to win the game on Friday night. The third-year passer completed 75 percent of his passes, going 9 of 12 for 58 yards and throwing the game-winning touchdown. Rudock went blow-to-blow with Cassel, who himself went 7 of 11 for 60 yards and a score versus the Bucs.