Keys for the Buccaneers' offense against the Lions defense
![](/<p>As the <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/nfl/teams/tampa-bay-buccaneers/362" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> prepare to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 7, they find themselves facing not just a surging NFC opponent but a growing list of injuries that have reshaped their offense. With multiple starters sidelined, the Bucs will need to adjust their game plan to survive and thrive against one of the NFL’s most physical defenses.</p><p>Here's a detailed look at the offensive keys Tampa Bay must follow if it hopes to compete with a well-rounded and aggressive Lions squad.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Protect Mayfield with Simplified Schemes</h2><p>Protection becomes the top priority for this entire offense to remain efficient. Baker Mayfield can’t afford to take unnecessary hits, especially with Detroit’s defensive line, which is led by Aidan Hutchinson, being capable of collapsing the pocket quickly. The Bucs should lean into max protection sets, tight end chips, and use running backs to help slow down edge pressure. Expect quick passes and rollout designs to reduce pressure and buy time.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Lean on Rachaad White and the Ground Game</h2><p>With Bucky Irving’s status still in recovery from shoulder and foot injuries, Rachaad White will likely handle the majority of the rushing workload. Though the Lions boast one of the league’s best run defenses, Tampa Bay needs to stay committed to the run, not necessarily for explosive gains, but to keep the defense honest and open up the passing game through play-action. Creative run designs using misdirection, counters, and jet sweeps can help offset the mismatch up front.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Emphasize Short, High-Percentage Throws</h2><p>With so many receivers out, and Mayfield under constant threat behind a patchwork line, Tampa Bay should center its passing attack around quick, timing-based throws. Slants, shallow crosses, hitches, and running back checkdowns should dominate the call sheet. Even more important: these quick throws can help neutralize Detroit’s pass rush and generate yards after the catch. Tight end Cade Otton and backfield targets like White must play bigger roles in the passing game.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Use Motion and Formation to Create Matchups</h2><p>The Lions are aggressive defensively but have shown occasional breakdowns in coverage, especially against pre-snap motion and bunch formations. The Bucs should use motion to force coverage reveals and create space for lesser-known receivers to find soft spots in the zone. Creative scheming, especially in the red zone, will be critical in masking the talent gap caused by injuries.</p><h2 class="presto-h2 wp-block-heading">Control Tempo and Avoid Mistakes</h2><p>Tampa Bay can't afford to fall behind the sticks with sacks, penalties, or turnovers. The offense should emphasize staying on schedule with manageable second and third downs, Varying tempo to catch Detroit off balance and manage substitutions, and ball security, as one turnover could flip the game, especially with a depleted offense.Mayfield’s leadership and poise under pressure will be tested, and his ability to avoid hero-ball decisions could define the game.</p><p><em>This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: <a href="https://bucswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/buccaneers/2025/10/16/bucs-offense-baker-mayfield-week-7-lions/86718133007/">Keys for the Bucs' offense against the Lions defense</a></em></p>)
The Bucs' offense has survived a lot of injuries in 2025, but they will be tested by the Lions in Week 7.
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Panthers DC Ejiro Evero explains why the loss of OLB Pat Jones II is so huge
![](/<p>The <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/nfl/teams/carolina-panthers/364" target="_blank">Carolina Panthers</a> have lost more than just one player following the season-ending injury to outside linebacker Pat Jones II.</p><p>On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/article/panthers-starting-pass-rusher-miss-195219038.html" data-3p-content-referrer="https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/10/15/panthers-injury-updates-pat-jones-ii/86712302007/" data-original-link="https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/10/15/panthers-injury-updates-pat-jones-ii/86712302007/">announced</a> that Jones will undergo back surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. The fifth-year pass rusher started in all four of his games in 2025 and now leaves behind quite a void in the Carolina defense.</p><p>Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was asked about losing Jones on Thursday.</p><p>"He was doing a heck of a job," Evero stated. "The ability to play inside, on pass-rush situations, to play on the edge, just the play style he has, the physicality, the effort, the intelligence, what he means in that room—all those things are, obviously, gonna be missed. But that's the nature of what we do, and it's next man up. So the guys that are coming in now have to assume those responsibilities and have to be able to produce."</p><p>Those guys are likely to be 2025 draft picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Scourton has already notched a pair of starts while Umanmielen has recorded at least 12 defensive snaps in each of the last five outings.</p><p>They'll try to step up in place of Jones, who is currently tied for the second-most pressures on the team (10). Evero, however, knows that probably won't be an easy fix.</p><p>"There's a lot of roles that Pat filled, and that's part of what made him such a good player for us, special player for us," he later said. "And so, yeah, we're gonna have to figure out a way, in a variety of ways, to fill those roles."</p><p>Along with the rookies, the Panthers' active roster features two other outside linebackers—starter D.J. Wonnum and Thomas Incoom. Their practice squad holds one, Boogie Basham.</p><p><strong><em>Follow <a href="https://x.com/ThePanthersWire" target="_blank">@ThePanthersWire</a> on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.</em></strong></p><p><em>This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: <a href="https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/10/16/panthers-ejiro-evero-pat-jones-week-7/86726950007/">Panthers DC Ejiro Evero explains why loss of OLB Pat Jones II is huge</a></em></p>)
Panthers DC Ejiro Evero explained why the void left behind by OLB Pat Jones II won't be easy to fill.
Hornets waiving Spencer Dinwiddie
![](/<blockquote><p>Shams Charania: The <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1978868549541101936" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on x.com">Charlotte Hornets are waiving guard Spencer Dinwiddie, sources tell ESPN.</a> Dinwiddie, an 11-year NBA veteran, signed a one-year deal with the Hornets in July free agency. Charlotte had to release a guaranteed salary ahead of season opener next week.</p><p><cite><a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1978868549541101936" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on x.com">x.com</a></cite></p></blockquote><p><em>This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/16/hornets-waiving-spencer-dinwiddie/86728446007/">Hornets waiving Spencer Dinwiddie</a></em></p>)
Hornets waiving Spencer Dinwiddie
His agent, Daniel Moldovan, is using the five-year, …
![](/<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46608383/everything-know-biggest-rookie-contract-extensions-2025-26-nba-dyson-daniels-walker-kessler-christian-braun" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on ESPN">His agent, Daniel Moldovan, is using the five-year, $150 million extension Jalen Suggs signed last year as the comparison for Daniels, while also assessing Trae Young's uncertain future in Atlanta.</a> Daniels was named first-team All-Defense, finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and increased his offensive production from 5.8 to 14.1 points. But Young has a $49 million player option next season and has been eligible to sign an extension since mid-June. -- Bobby Marks</p><p><cite><a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46608383/everything-know-biggest-rookie-contract-extensions-2025-26-nba-dyson-daniels-walker-kessler-christian-braun" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on ESPN">ESPN</a></cite></p></blockquote><p><em>This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/16/his-agent-daniel-moldovan-is-using-the-five-year/86728442007/">His agent, Daniel Moldovan, is using the five-year, …</a></em></p>)
His agent, Daniel Moldovan, is using the five-year, …
Fullcourtpass: Kevin Durant says LeBron James was …
![](/<blockquote><p>Fullcourtpass: Kevin Durant says LeBron James was happy James Harden got traded to the Rockets. <a href="http://twitter.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1978784659149300220" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on Twitter">“They were so happy that me, Russ and James weren’t together anymore they were so happy I know Bron was so fu*king happy we weren’t together anymore cause we were on their ass.”</a></p><p><cite><a href="http://twitter.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1978784659149300220" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on Twitter">Twitter</a></cite></p></blockquote><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kevin Durant says LeBron was happy James Harden got traded to the Rockets <br><br>“They were so happy that me, Russ and James weren’t together anymore they were so happy I know Bron was so fu*king happy we weren’t together anymore cause we were on their ass.”<a href="https://t.co/uZMaPpFzGr">pic.twitter.com/uZMaPpFzGr</a></p>— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1978784659149300220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote><p><em>This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/16/fullcourtpass-kevin-durant-says-lebron-james-was/86728439007/">Fullcourtpass: Kevin Durant says LeBron James was …</a></em></p>)
Fullcourtpass: Kevin Durant says LeBron James was …
Tom Meschery: Wilt Chamberlain partied all night the day before his 100-point game
![](/<blockquote><p>At almost 87 years old, Tom Meschery is the last survivor of the 1961-1962 <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/basketball/nba/teams/golden-state-warriors/9/" target="_blank">Warriors</a>. It was during this unbridled season that his teammate and friend, Wilt Chamberlain (50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds on average alone that year), achieved the greatest offensive performance in NBA history by scoring 100 points against the Knicks on March 2, 1962, in Hershey. In the new story of L'Équipe explores, which tells the last secrets of this anthology performance, <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/Actualites/Wilt-chamberlain-avait-fait-la-fete-toute-la-nuit-la-veille-de-son-match-a-100-points/1602122" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on L'Equipe">Meschery, very close to Chamberlain, reveals that the pivot not only suffered from back pain that evening, but also had a hangover</a>. "He often told me that he had partied all night the day before the 100-point game, that he had gone home at eight in the morning," says Meschery. "Wilt was the king of exaggeration, but on this, I believe him. He was able to dance until the early hours, sleep for an hour, and then score 50 points. He only ate hot dogs and burgers, but he was never out of shape. He was a phenomenon."</p><p><cite><a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Basket/Actualites/Wilt-chamberlain-avait-fait-la-fete-toute-la-nuit-la-veille-de-son-match-a-100-points/1602122" rel="nofollow" title="Read more on L'Equipe">L'Equipe</a></cite></p></blockquote><p><em>This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: <a href="https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/16/tom-meschery-wilt-chamberlain-partied-all-night-the-day-before-his-100-point-game/86728436007/">Tom Meschery: Wilt Chamberlain partied all night the day before his 100-point game</a></em></p>)
Tom Meschery: Wilt Chamberlain partied all night the day before his 100-point game
