Detroit Lions improve to 9-4 on the Season

The Detroit Lions are keeping pace with their NFC Northern Division rivals the Green Bay Packers.  They defeated the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-17 at Ford Field in front of another sold out crowd.  On a sunny but crisp day in downtown Detroit the Lions took control of the game early and lead the entire way. 

Currently the Lions are 9-4 and a half game back of the Packers who play tomorrow night are at 9-3.   The Lions now will host the Minnesota Vikings next week before going on the road the last two weeks of the season to play in the frigid north at Chicago and Green Bay. 

The Lions would take a 17-10 lead into halftime however it should have been 17-3 if an interception by James Ihedigbo late in the 1st half.   Ihedigbo ran the interception out of the end zone and was tackled and fumbled giving Tampa Bay great field position.  They would score and make it 17-10.

Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Joique Bell all would shine on  this day for the Lions.   The sell-out crowd would be waving the lime green rally towels most of the day to support the Lions who at times seem like world beaters.   But at times screw things up badly by shooting them selves in the foot with penalties. 

A good sign was that running back Reggie Bush was back in action and looked strong.  Ndamukong Suh is looking again like the All-Pro that he should be.   Stafford had a good afternoon passing with 26 completions out of 34 attempts for 311 yard and 3 touchdowns.    Johnson would have 8 catches good for 158 yards and 1 T.D.   Joique Bell getting most of the work out of the backfield had 18 carries for 83 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. 

Detroit now must just focus on the Vikings who are coming in next Sunday.   The Vikings won today in overtime and always play the Lions tough at Ford Field.   Things are going in the right direction but nothing short of the a Northern Division title would be a failure for the Lions.   Playoffs are the goal but Divisional Titles are nice too.