The Detroit Lions are set to square off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 after a tumultous Sunday has left the NFC North powerhouse in an awkward spot.
Detroit has to win tonight in order to stay atop the division after victories for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. There's a three way tie now, and the Lions could cement themselves as the only 5-2 team in the north with a win during Monday Night Football.
However, it's going to be a tall order for their defense as they enter this one without Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Brian Branch. Baker Mayfield, as a result, has to be chomping at the bit to pass against this very broken down Lions secondary. And, PFF writer Mason Cameron feels the same, writing that Mayfield is a safe bet for over 240.5 passing yards in tonight's contest.
"A depleted Lions secondary will have a difficult time matching up in this one, particularly if Egbuka and Evan are both able to go. With Brian Branch suspended and Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox all ruled out due to injury, this Lions coverage unit will be extremely shorthanded."
PFF predicts Mayfield hits the over on projected passing yards in MNF vs. Lions
These injury woes coupled with Tampa Bay getting positive news on the return of Mike Evans in Week 7 could mean that Mayfield is set to feast. If the Lions' pass rush can't make his life harder, then this contest could just end up being a touchdown-fest between Mayfield and Jared Goff.
Mayfield has hit over 240.5 passing yards in his last three contests against the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. He's been a revelation this season, currently leading the MVP clubhouse over other impressive signal callers like Drake Maye and Dak Prescott.
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What's been scariest about defenses having to handle Mayfield is his ability to make what feels like a dead play instantly alive again thanks to his legs. This is an area that, because of how depleted the Lions' defense has been, has been a struggle for the teams' linebackers and safeties.
Missed tackles really burned Detroit in Week 6 against Patrick Mahomes, who has a similar acrobatic ability to keep a drive up and running with his legs. It can have the same impact on this contest, so it's fair that Cameron feels that Mayfield is about to blow up Detroit's secondary tonight.