Copyright Newsweek
The Detroit Lions sent a message to the rest of the National Football Conference on Monday Night Football yesterday with a 24-9 win over Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that came without most of its secondary. The Lions' win included several unlikely heroes, including cornerback Nick Whiteside, who filled in due to injuries. He turned heads with multiple key plays late in the game. The Lions' win moved Dan Campbell's team to 5-2 on the season, just behind the 4-1-1 Green Bay Packers with a bye week next up. The game brought out opinions from across the Lions and NFL universe, including from injured defensive back D.J. Reed, who shared his thoughts on Whiteside and another Lions hero of the day. More news: NFL Films Clarifies Brian Branch Video Removal Decision to Pat McAfee Nick Whiteside Stars on 'Nameless' Defense Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard called the Lions' defensive fill-ins "nameless" as he received a game ball from linebacker Derrick Barnes after Detroit's win Monday night, but cornerback Nick Whiteside certainly made a name for himself with his play. Whiteside had a pass break-up late that may have been a touchdown, and followed it up with another leaping pass break-up in the left corner of the end zone against star Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka. Whiteside finished with just one tackle on zero interceptions on the night, but the impact of he and the rest of the Lions' relatively unknown secondary went far beyond words. More News: Lions’ Brian Branch Reveals Why He Punched Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster Reed's Message to Lions Backup Major Detroit offseason acquisition D.J. Reed was placed on the team's injured list with a hamstring injury on Oct. 1 and is expected to miss through next month's Minnesota game. Reed cheered on Whiteside and the rest of the Lions as they took care of business at Ford Field on Monday. "Have a day Nick!" Reed said on his X account. Reed also had a message for Jahmyr Gibbs, who compiled over 200 yards combined rushing and receiving along with two rushing touchdowns. "Gibbs is so cold lol," Reed wrote. The Lions' teamwork and camaraderie are surging at a time when the NFC is as competitive as it's been in many years. Detroit's upcoming game against Minnesota coincides with the expected return of Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy. Another strong Lions performance could mark a turning point this season where Detroit grabs control of the division and doesn't look back.
