The Bucs have had Sunday’s game circled on the calendar ever since January 21st.

That was when the Lions beat them 31-23 to end Tampa Bay’s playoff run.

Seeking some revenge for that and going 0-2 against them, they played a competitive game where they had a 13-6 lead heading into halftime. It came down to the final seconds, but they were able to hold on and upset Detroit at home, 20-16. Here is what was most impressive from the win that got them to 2-0.

WR Chris Godwin

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

Guess who’s back, back again?

Chris Godwin’s back, tell a friend.

From the start, Godwin looked primed for a big role on offense, hauling in Baker Mayfield’s first two pass attempts. Godwin was his primary target throughout the game, especially when Mayfield had to throw on the move as the pocket collapsed. The highlight for Godwin came in the second quarter when he got open on a wheel route and ran it in for 41 yards. After only hauling two touchdowns last year, the veteran wide receiver matched that total in just six quarters this year.

With Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan not being big factors, Godwin has had a Cooper Kupp-level of usage two weeks into the year. That continued on Sunday, as he had seven catches for 117 yards and the touchdown.

Godwin was in his bag on Sunday afternoon, and with more performances like this, he may get a bag from the Bucs this offseason when he becomes a free agent.

A Bend But Don’t Break Bucs’ Defense

Despite missing two critical starters going into the game in safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey – and later with nose tackle Vita Vea leaving the game with a knee injury – the Bucs’ defense held their own most of the afternoon.

The unit did give up some big plays and the Lions’ offensive weapons had nice days, but they failed to convert them into points in part to Tampa Bay’s defense getting key stops and forcing Detroit to settle for field goals. Among them, defensive back Christian Izien’s fourth-quarter interception was critical in preventing them from scoring in a 20-16 game.

The Lions did not score a touchdown until the third quarter, and despite 463 total yards of offense and 26 first downs, they only mustered 16 points. All in all, that is impressive.

CB Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum had big goals going into this season, including becoming a playmaker and getting six interceptions. He got his first interception of the season and his NFL career on Sunday afternoon. It came off quarterback Jared Goff on the first play the Lions had on offense.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

The third-year cornerback had this game circled since the offseason.

“The Detroit Lions game in Week 2 is one that I definitely circled just because of what happened last year and the fact that it’s so early we’re able to get that taste out of our mouths quickly,” McCollum said this summer. “So that’s motivation to be ready and be in season-form early on. We can’t wait.”

McCollum did well to break on routes and had three pass deflections. After being a popular breakout candidate, he showed why he was worthy of being Carlton Davis III’s replacement against Davis’ new team.

Baker Mayfield’s Wheels And Pocket Presence

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

While Baker Mayfield did not have a repeat Week 1 performance through the air, he did what he could against a good Lions defense.

What stood out and was impressive by Mayfield on Sunday afternoon is that he evaded a lot of pressure and made things happen with his legs to move the chains and prevent as many negative plays as possible.

He was the biggest threat running the ball on offense, and he showed off his wheels in the Motor City at the end of the third quarter with consecutive 11-yard runs. That second was a designed quarterback draw that ended with him hitting paydirt.

There were moments when he was bested, such as Aidan Hutchinson recording four and a half sacks and getting picked off by Brian Branch, but that did not rattle the veteran quarterback in a hostile environment. He was as efficient as could be expected, although he did not throw as much as one might think.

Safeties Jordan Whitehead And Christian Izien

Jordan Whitehead was so close to being higher up this list, but a dropped interception in the first half knocks him down a peg. Still, Whitehead helped the secondary clean up plays and his sure tackling was a big difference-maker in this one. He led the team with 11 total tackles and did well in coverage and stuffing the run in the box. That was highlighted by a nice four-yard tackle for loss on Jahmyr Gibbs in the third quarter.

Strong safety is one position where the Bucs upgraded the most heading into 2024, as Whitehead is leaps and bounds better than Ryan Neal. That was on display in this one.

Christian Izien had to fill in for the best free safety in the game with Antoine Winfield Jr. being out with an ankle sprain, but he filled in nicely. Izien had a big fourth-quarter interception, had nine total tackles, and two pass deflections.

Both Whitehead and Izien were the ones that brought Jahmyr Gibbs down in the fourth quarter that resulted in a turnover on downs and wrapped up a win.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

K Chase McLaughlin

After making this list last week for his work at home, Chase McLaughlin showed off his powerful right leg at Ford Field against the Lions. Right off the bat, the Bucs relied on McLaughlin’s leg to get points on their first two drives.

First, he cashed in on a 30-yarder. Then, after Zyon McCollum’s interception, he drilled a 55-yard-field goal. In doing so, it’s worth pointing out how elite he is from that distance.

The team is a lot more confident they can get points with McLaughlin’s range.

LB SirVocea Dennis

The Bucs have been rotating SirVocea Dennis and K.J. Britt to start the season with Britt getting early down work in run-likely situations while Dennis worked mainly against 11 personnel on obvious pass downs. With Jared Goff throwing 55 times on the day, Dennis was on the field a lot. And he made the most of his opportunities. Dennis finished the day with nine combined tackles while playing well as a zone defender in coverage.

Dennis also made a big stop late in the game as Detroit was trying to take the lead. With just 1:08 left in the game, the Lions faced a third-and-nine at the Bucs’ 12-yard line. Goff tried to get a swing pass out to running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the left flat, but Dennis fired off like a rocket to hold Gibbs to a 1-yard gain that would force a fourth down Detroit would eventually not convert.

Dennis’ sure-tackling and coverage abilities may have him vying for a larger share of the playing time between him and Britt.