The Lions defense was also superb on the ground once again as they allowed Buccaneers running back Doug Martin a season low with only 22 yards on the ground. The Lions come in leading the NFL in rush yards allowed with just over 78 yards per game. While their run defense is outstanding, their run offense has been mediocre all season as they came in second to last in the league in rush yard per game. The Lions are in an all too familiar situation from last year, when they led the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North division but squandered it away with a poor December when they lost 6 of their last seven games to miss the playoffs. The win Sunday snapped their 12 game losing streak in December and secured their first winning season since 2011 when they last made the playoffs with a 10-6 record.
Tampa Bay struggled all day from start to finish, receiver Vincent Jackson did a good game with 10 catches for 159 yards and rookie receiver had two touchdown catches as well. The lack of run game was the Achilles heel for the Bucs and despite the two receiver’s productive afternoons, quarterback Josh McCown had trouble finding other targets. The Lions play their final home game of the 2014 season Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and then play their final two games at Chicago and Green Bay. The Lions have defeated all three teams this season, but the Green Bay game will ultimately decide whether the Lions will win the division or even make the playoffs all together. The Packers still lead the Lions by a half game in the division and play host to the Atlanta Falcons tonight for Monday Night Football.