It was a game many Bucs fans have had circled on their calendar since before the season started. As soon as it was announced that Oct. 15 would be the return of the creamsicle throwback uniforms, the hype started to build. With both the Bucs and Lions off to strong starts this year, the game was even flexed to the 4:25 p.m. ET timeslot.

While there was much anticipation for the game and the retro feel, it all led to a familiar outcome for those who followed Tampa Bay in the Bucco Bruce years. Going up against their old NFC Central rivals, the Bucs failed to get much going.

But despite losing 20-6 to Detroit and falling to 3-2 on the year, there were some impressive performances to build on, with the team’s oldest player setting the tone.

Lavonte David

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: USA Today

On a vintage day, Lavonte David brought some vintage play. The lone player remaining to have rocked the creamsicle jerseys as a rookie in 2012 was all over the field on Sunday and played as if he was shot out of a cannon.

In the first quarter, David had a big pass breakup on tight end Sam LaPorta, and to close out the first half, he brought down Jared Goff for a sack.

David’s solid play continued in the second half, and he finished the game with 12 tackles (nine solo), pacing the defense. The rest of the unit did not march in his footsteps, but the longtime captain did his part.

Jake Camarda

If there is one certainty for Tampa Bay on Sundays, it is that Jake Camarda has a booming leg and is not afraid to put it on display. He was busy punting the football and did so with both power and finesse, with three of his kicks pinning the Lions within the 20. This included a beautiful 63-yarder that put the Lions at their own 5-yard line to start one of their drives and a 66-yarder that was fielded at the one-yard line. Overall, Camarda averaged 54.2 yards per kick in Sunday’s loss. 

Bucs’ Run Defense

The Bucs did an admirable job early holding David Montgomery to six carries for 14 yards before he left the game with a rib injury. Detroit could not get the running game going with Craig Reynolds afterward, as he had 10 carries for just 15 yards. Tampa Bay did not contain Jared Goff with nearly as much success, but credit should be given to the run defense as it was stout. This is definitely a game for them to identify what went right and keep it going.

Vita Vea And Calijah Kancey

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay’s interior defensive line not only helped keep the Lions’ rushing attack to 40 yards on 22 carries, but they also affected the game in other ways. Big nose tackle Vita Vea made his presence felt early in the game by forcing the ball loose from David Montgomery, and while he recovered it, it was a 2-yard loss and led to the Lions settling for a field goal after getting the ball in great field position after Baker Mayfield threw an interception early. Vea is always in the middle plugging up running lanes, and this let Calijah Kancey get to the quarterback a couple of times.

Returning to action for the first time since Week 1 after dealing with a lingering calf injury, Kancey made his impact known to Jared Goff. The rookie was able to pressure Goff quickly a couple of times to force incompletions, showing off the quick burst and explosiveness that made him a first-round pick. In the fourth quarter, Kancey got his first NFL sack, which led to the Lions punting it away.

Luke Goedeke

Goedeke is nicknamed “Luke the Lifter,” and he more than lived up to the moniker as he held his own going up against standout pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Lined up opposite Hutchinson much of the day, the Bucs’ second-year offensive lineman made him a non-factor and did not let him get around the edge. Hutchinson only had three total tackles and no sacks on the day, and much of that should be attributed to Goedeke holding him in check.