🏈 The Lions’ Fate Rests on One Player — Can He Deliver vs. Tampa?

Which Lions Player or Position Group Needs to Step Up for a Week 7 Win?

One of the things I’ve come to admire most about the Detroit Lions under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes is their consistent ability to bounce back from adversity. Since the duo took over in 2021, this team has shown remarkable resilience. Even after a tough setback like their Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, you can see their confidence shine through in how they respond. There’s no sulking or energy drop-off—just a group determined to fix their mistakes and get back in the win column.

That kind of attitude starts with Campbell and the culture he’s built, but the players deserve plenty of credit, too. Their mindset has become part of the team’s identity—and they’ll need every bit of it heading into a Week 7 “Monday Night Football” showdown with the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Like Detroit, Tampa Bay has been hit hard by injuries early in the 2025 season, yet they continue to play strong football. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is putting together one of the best stretches of his career, and the Bucs’ defense remains as fierce as ever.

Which brings us to the big question:
Which Lions player—or position group—needs to have a standout performance to secure a win in Week 7?

My pick: the offensive line.

To be honest, I think Lions fans have been a bit spoiled by how dominant this unit has been in recent years. While there have been flashes of that same dominance this season, we haven’t quite seen them fully impose their will on an opponent the way we know they can.

What I’d love to see is a vintage performance from the big men up front against Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ defense is no joke—they currently rank sixth in rush defense DVOA—but this feels like the perfect opportunity for Detroit’s offensive line to reestablish its identity.

If the line can open running lanes and control the pace, the Lions can set the tone early and dictate the tempo all night long.

So, what do you think? Which Lions player or position group needs to step up for Detroit to get back in the win column? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.