By Blessing 
Against all expectations, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are soaring into Week 7, tied for the NFL’s best record despite a rash of injuries. They hold the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a prize they’ll defend Monday night in a blockbuster clash against the Detroit Lions.
A victory would secure a crucial tiebreaker over a top rival and widen their lead over Green Bay’s chasing pack.
A loss won’t derail their season, but it could dim their shine. Both teams are poised to make a Super Bowl statement on national TV, yet Tampa’s defense has fans on edge due to a glaring weakness.
The Buccaneers’ fatal flaw could spark another high-scoring showdown. Their defense, much improved in the Baker Mayfield era, still struggles mightily in the red zone, ranking 28th in 2025 with a 68.8% touchdown rate—down from 3rd (42.6%) in 2023 and 14th (54.4%) in 2024. This spells trouble against Detroit’s third-ranked red zone offense.
This game has “Game of the Year” vibes, with both defenses looking shaky. Tampa’s unit is porous, and Detroit may miss five starting defensive backs. Last week, the Bucs leaned on a lucky turnover to survive Seattle and stifled a depleted 49ers offense. But Detroit’s hungry, battle-tested attack won’t be so forgiving.
Todd Bowles has flipped the script this season, but Monday’s test is massive. The offense will likely shine, but the defense must step up.