The Detroit Lions delivered a commanding 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, fueled by running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ career-high 218-yard outburst that included two touchdowns. This win not only avenged their previous loss but also stripped the Buccaneers of their lead in the NFC standings, reshaping the conference race as both teams head into their bye weeks.
Played on October 20, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, the game saw the Lions rebound emphatically from a Week 6 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Facing a Buccaneers squad that entered with the NFC’s best record, Detroit’s offense and defense synchronized perfectly from the opening drive. The Lions broke out their all-black uniforms for the first time this season, setting a tone of dominance that persisted throughout the chilly evening in Motown.
Gibbs stole the spotlight with a performance for the ages, totaling 218 yards from scrimmage and scoring twice. His most electrifying moment came in the second quarter when he burst through the middle for a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest of his NFL career. According to Next Gen Stats, Gibbs reached a top speed of 22.2 mph on that play—the fastest by any ball carrier on a rushing touchdown this season—and he is the only player over the past three years to hit 22 mph on a scoring run, a feat he also achieved in 2024.
The Lions’ defense, despite missing three starters in the secondary, rose to the occasion by forcing two first-half turnovers and limiting Tampa Bay to just 58 total yards through two quarters. Cornerback Amik Robertson jarred the ball loose from a Buccaneers receiver, with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson recovering the fumble, while Arthur Maulet intercepted a pass after wrestling it away from tight end Cade Otton. This resilient unit also notched four sacks and held the Buccaneers to 251 total yards, showcasing depth and tenacity.
Tampa Bay’s offense sputtered all night, with quarterback Baker Mayfield looking uncharacteristically out of rhythm as he completed 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown. The Buccaneers suffered a critical blow when star wide receiver Mike Evans left the game in the second quarter with a concussion and a broken collarbone after a hard collision with Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Evans’ absence, coupled with inefficient connections with rookie Emeka Egbuka, left the offense struggling to find its footing against Detroit’s pressure.
The Buccaneers’ run defense, which had ranked fifth in the NFL allowing just 3.7 yards per carry, unraveled as Gibbs and the Lions averaged 5.1 yards per attempt and piled up 164 rushing yards. Tampa Bay’s vulnerabilities in pass coverage were also exposed, with Gibbs exploiting the flat for multiple big gains, including a 30-yard reception on the opening drive. These defensive lapses, combined with offensive inefficiencies, prevented the Buccaneers from mounting a serious challenge.
With the victory, the Lions improved to 5-2 and extended their impressive record to 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 season, trailing only the Chiefs in such scenarios. Coach Dan Campbell emphasized the team’s ‘no looking back’ mentality after Gibbs’ breakout, highlighting the resilience that has become a hallmark of his tenure. The loss dropped the Buccaneers to 5-2, creating a logjam atop the NFC and underscoring the competitiveness of the conference as the midpoint of the season approaches.
Looking ahead, both teams enter bye weeks before pivotal matchups: the Lions will host the Minnesota Vikings on November 2, while the Buccaneers travel to face the New Orleans Saints. The outcomes of these games could further clarify the playoff picture, but Monday’s result already signals Detroit’s emergence as a formidable contender and Tampa Bay’s need to address inconsistencies to maintain their championship aspirations.