DETROIT (AP) — Baker Mayfield scored an 11-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 on Sunday in a playoff rematch.
Tampa Bay (2-0) trailed only once in a close game and had two chances to score a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds, but were denied.
The Lions lost downs at the Buccaneers’ 6 with 53 seconds left, then turned it over again at their own 26 with 2 seconds left.
Lions coach Dan Campbell lamented mistakes made in the first half that led to confusion on offense and special teams while both teams were on the field, leading to flags being drawn, time expiring and a missed opportunity to kick a short field goal to get within four points.
If Detroit had made that field goal, they would have had just one kick to win the game in the fourth quarter.
Jared Goff hurt the Lions’ chances of winning the divisional round rematch with two interceptions and was also fortunate to have two passes that defenses could have intercepted dropped. Goff completed 34 of 55 attempts for 307 yards.
Mayfield was efficient through the air, completing 12 of 19 passes for 185 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin in the second quarter to tie the game, and ran four times for 35 yards. Godwin had seven catches for 117 yards.
Detroit beat the Buccaneers 31-23 at home in the divisional round in January after winning 20-6 on the road last October, but couldn’t overcome mistakes and missed opportunities at Ford Field.
The Lions had to rely on field goals until David Montgomery’s 1-yard touchdown run to give them the game-winning lead late in the third quarter.
Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks in the first quarter and finished the game with a career-high five sacks.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had 11 receptions for 119 yards for the Lions.
Injury
Buccaneers: DT Vita Via left the game with a knee injury. Three starters — OT Luke Goedeke (concussion), DL Kariya Kansey (calf) and S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) — were sidelined with injuries.
Lions: LB Alex Anzalone was out with a concussion and starting DE Marcus Davenport (groin) was unavailable.
Next
Buccaneers: Host Denver on Sunday.
Lions: Play at Arizona on Sunday.
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