News Lions Team Notes

[Detroit Lions]

Notes: National media predictions for Lions vs. Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions are back in the prime time spotlight for a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit’s coming off a disappointing loss on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs while battling some injuries on defense. The NFC-leading Bucs are looking red hot at 5-1, but dealing with a Lions team back in front of their rowdy home field crowd.

This matchup has a lot of national NFL writers a bit torn. Here’s what they’re saying.

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: 35-34 Lions

“This is a big game in terms of NFC dominance. Both teams have a lot of injury issues, yet they have fought through them. The Bucs are the top seed right now in the NFC because of Baker Mayfield. With Jared Goff also rolling up big numbers, this has the look of a game with a lot of points. I see the Lions winning a close one.”

LA Times’ Sam Farmer: 28-24 Bucs

“The Buccaneers catch Detroit at a good time with key injuries. Baker Mayfield keeps the Bucs in games, and their defense, while inconsistent, can be opportunistic. Tampa Bay steals it late.”

Sporting News’ Bill Bender: 35-28, Lions

“The Buccaneers and Lions are the best game of the week in a possible NFC championship preview. Baker Mayfield should be able to have success against a Detroit secondary littered with injuries. The Lions are 2-0 ATS at home this season – where they average 44 points per game. If this turns into a shootout, then Detroit will be comfortable.”

USA Today writers tended to lean a bit more toward a Lions win.

“While Mike Evans may be returning in this game, the absence of Emeka Egbuka is equally harmful to this Bucs’ offense. I’ll take the Lions to bounce back at home in primetime.” – Jon Hoefling, Lions

“Such a juicy matchup between two teams that could break the scoreboard. It’s tough to pick a winner, but given Tampa Bay’s knack for playing close games, this one goes down to the very last second.” – Jordan Mendoza, Bucs

“Detroit’s secondary is banged up. That was apparent during a loss to Kansas City. However, the Bucs are battling injuries at wide receiver.” – Tyler Dragon, Lions

“This is a fascinating game, though the Buccaneers are pretty banged up, especially at running back and receiver. The Lions were just humiliated against the Chiefs, so I think this is a prime bounceback option at great value, especially at Ford Field.” – Lorenzo Reyes, Lions

“Lions in a prime-time bounceback? Sign me up. Even if it’s against the MVP favorite.” – Christopher Bumbaca, Lions

“If you keep giving me the Bucs with points, I’m gonna keep taking the Bucs with points. Baker Mayfield thrives off the disrespect alone.” – Blake Schuster, Bucs

Finally, ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Pamela Maldonado, Jason Reid, and Lindsey Thiry picked Detroit to win, while Dan Graziano, Eric Moody, and Seth Wickersham went with the Bucs.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• A look back on Aidan Hutchinson’s recovery journey from the man himself.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HOUSE of HUTCH (@thehousehutch)

• Great column from The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy on Brian Branch.

Brian Branch is far too valuable to the Lions to keep putting himself in situations like this.

He’s been ejected from a game, penalized at inopportune times and now suspended, after letting his emotions consume him.

The Lions need him to figure it out: https://t.co/soU6M0OFLP

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 14, 2025

• So cool! Ford Field gives us a look at the black ambience for the big MNF matchup.

Going back to black for MNF @Lions pic.twitter.com/PVgJ1w7zu7

— Ford Field (@fordfield) October 16, 2025

• I mentioned in yesterday’s Notes that the Sun God went to his first Red Wings game. Here’s a video of the adventure:

First @DetroitRedWings game for @amonra_stbrown pic.twitter.com/jH5uXXrVvq

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 16, 2025

• Some great stuff over on “Closed on Sundays,” co-hosted by the Lions’ own Terrion Arnold.

Ocho: "I can get a Lions tattoo, that ain't nothing."

Terrion: "I want you to get it on your forehead."

TA kept receipts after Ocho said the Bengals would beat the Lions pic.twitter.com/f0fUoCZltP

— Closed on Sundays with Pat and Terrion (@closedsundaypod) October 16, 2025

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...nal-media-predictions-for-lions-vs-buccaneers

 

[Detroit Lions]

NFL, Louis Riddick issue statements, Lions offended by deleted Brian Branch video

On Thursday, NFL Films released its latest “NFL Turning Point” video as part of its online video series on ESPN. In an effort to promote the show, NFL Films posted a strange and frankly insulting video centered around recently suspended Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch. A few hours after posting the video, amidst backlash from Detroit fans, writers, NFL players, and more, NFL Films took their post down from their platforms.

While NFL Films deleted their posts, the internet never forgets and the video quickly found it’s way back online. By Friday, the NFL Films video had made its rounds to different media outlets, eventually leading to NFL Films and Louis Riddick (the narrator of the video) offering up statements.

Here’s what the NFL had to say:

NFL Films wants all of its shows to have a distinct voice and point of view. In the case of “NFL Turning Point,” that voice and point of view is Louis Riddick’s. He spends time every week with the show’s producers watching each segment and going over the script before narrating them. That particular sequence felt different to NFL Films as part of a 9-minute breakdown of the Lions-Chiefs game than it did as a standalone excerpt on social media. On X, it felt overly critical to Brian Branch so it was taken down.

And here’s Riddick’s response via Twitter:

The Detroit Lions organization is one that I have nothing but respect for. Ownership, Head Coach, General Manager, and players.

Fast forward to this week, the “Turning Point” episode that was voiced by me recently that covered the Chiefs/Lions game didn’t come across the way it should have. The intent is to collaboratively, as a group, document the events of game. Good and bad. There is NEVER an intent to do a “hit piece” on anyone or any team. That being said, I can see how the short clip that was posted could be taken as an attempt to cast the #Lions or Brian Branch in a calculated, unfavorable manner. I don’t want to be a part of that. I will be sure to make certain that anything that has my name attached to it will never again leave room for it to be interpreted that way in the future.

Neither of these statements offers an apology, and both come across more as finger-pointing than actual accountability. The NFL statement appears to shift the blame to Riddick, despite acknowledging that their producers were involved in the creation process and are the ones responsible for editing, cutting, and posting the video on social media. Riddick’s statement isn’t much better, as it appears to try to shift the blame to the NFL Films editorial team.

Meanwhile, the Lions media met with several Lions players on Friday, and their responses to the unfolding event varied from disappointment to anger. Here are a few of the responses published throughout the Detroit media:

Lions reserve offensive tackle Dan Skipper, via Dave Birkett of the Free Press

“A smear campaign against BB (Branch) from the shield.”

“Whoever pushed that should be ashamed, whoever thought we should really highlight this should be ashamed and Louis Riddick should certainly be ashamed.”

Skipper later added, via Kory Woods of MLive:

“I just thought it was a pretty weak move. Obviously, they’re protected by the shield, so I can’t speak too much into it. I might already have received a letter (fine) — we’ll see. I’m going to try to avoid receiving a letter here in the future.”

Amik Robertson and Alex Anzalone, via the Free Press:

Robertson said, “I feel like it was kind of messed up.”

Anzalone, standing near Robertson’s locker, said, “Kind of?”

Defensive tackle DJ Reader was equally as blunt, sharing his thoughts via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard:

“As a player, how can you trust the [NFL] shield now? If y’all want to release this and this is how you’re shedding light on it. You’ve got to play for your organization, you trust them and the people you work, but as far as like the shield, people up there in New York? I can’t trust them.

“I can’t believe that they’re truly gonna have my back or they care about my safety or well-being. People who care about you don’t do that.”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...-lions-offended-by-deleted-brian-branch-video

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions, Bucs injury designations: 3 defenders ruled OUT

The Detroit Lions (4-2) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) have declared their injury designations ahead of their NFC battle on “Monday Night Football.”

Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.

Ruled OUT​

• RB Sione Vaki (groin)
• CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder)
• DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring)
• S Kerby Joseph (knee)

Vaki will miss his fourth game in a row and his sixth on the season. It’s been a tough start to his second NFL season, but if he recovers and returns after the bye, he’ll have a chance to turn things around in the back half of the year.

Arnold returned to practice on Friday as the Lions wanted to test his range in individual drills, and while he’s still not ready to play in a game just yet, he will have a chance to return after the bye.

“I don’t see him (playing) Monday,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said at his Saturday press conference. “That (Friday practice) was just getting him out there moving around in individual. He’s still got a little bit to go here to make sure that he’s ready—or can be ready to produce and protect himself. So, he’s improving, that’s a positive sign.”

Maddox has been working off to the side with trainers this week, but like Arnold, he is also not quite ready to return to play. If he continues to progress forward as expected, he’ll also have a chance to return following the bye.

Joseph has been clearly fighting through his knee pain, and while Campbell insists that the All-Pro safety is feeling better, they clearly decided an extra week of rest is best for the long-term viability of his season.

“I know he’s doing a lot better. We just want to be smart with it and see where he’s at. But he is feeling better. He’s getting better—but I don’t see him practicing today,” Campbell said on Saturday, later adding, “Time can help (heal his injury). So we’ll see, but look, there’s a lot of guys that are dealing with a lot of things (injuries) and you can’t lose every guy. So, you just have to gauge where some of them are at (because) some are worse than others. He’s dealing with something, and it’s affecting him right now, so we’ve just got to get it to calm down, to help him.”

With Brian Branch out due to a suspension, that leaves the Lions without their two starting outside cornerbacks and their two starting safeties.

Questionable​

• LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
• DT Alim McNeill (ACL — Still on PUP) — Days remaining on clock: 3
• DT DJ Reader (back)

Decker had been playing through a shoulder injury, but the Lions opted to rest him for the last two games to allow his body to properly heal and prepare him for the remainder of the season. Decker returned to practice this week and is trending in the right direction towards starting on Monday.

“He’s trending the right way,” Campbell said of Decker potentially returning this week. “he practiced yesterday and looked good, but I’m not going to practice him today. But, he is going to move around and do some things with (Director of player health and performance, Jeff Fischer) Fisch and them, but he’s trending that way.”

McNeill returned to practice three weeks ago and has positioned himself to be removed from PUP, added to the active roster, and play in this game. He’ll likely have a limited 20-25 snap count and only play in specific situations, but this should give a massive boost to the defensive line.

Reader missed the first practice of the week, but has since returned to practice, telling the media that he just needed a day off because he’s “old.” He’s expected to start at the nose in this game.

Not listed with an injury designation​

• LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring)

Cunningham missed three games with his hamstring injury, but has practiced all week in full and is ready to return to game action. His presence will give the Lions ‘ goal-line defense and special teams a nice boost.

Bucs’ injury designations​

Full report coming soon, but we have some information based on Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ Saturday morning press conference:

Ruled OUT

• RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder)
• RB Josh Williams (concussion)
• WR Chris Godwin (fibula)
• RG Luke Haggard (shoulder)

Questionable

• QB Teddy Bridgewater (illness)
• WR Mike Evans (hamstring)
• LB Lavonte David (knee/rib)

I'd think Mike Evans will have a "questionable" designation for Monday. I think he's done what they wanted him to do, but I doubt they're so confident as to take him off the injury report entirely. The expectation is certainly that he'll play. https://t.co/DnQ9jEDbrU

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 18, 2025

Likely a game-time decision

• WR Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)

Todd Bowles says Emeka Egbuka was limited in practice today and will be a game-time decision on Monday night. In play to be active, but nothing for sure. Huge boost to offense if he and Mike Evans can both go vs. Detroit.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 18, 2025

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detr...ucs-injury-designations-3-defenders-ruled-out

 

[Detroit Lions]

NFL Week 7 games live chat: All afternoon games

The Detroit Lions don’t play until Monday night in Week 7, but there’s still plenty of football happening on Sunday for Lions fans to consume.

This threat will allow you to chat during all of Sunday afternoon’s action. Simply scroll down to the bottom of this page and share your observations from the Week 7 games with our Pride of Detroit community. If you haven’t yet, become a member! It’s free and it improves your ad experience on the website, as well!

Here’s a reminder of this week’s slate of afternoon games, with the games being played locally in Detroit noted. And if you’re interested in seeing POD’s staff picks for these games, be sure and check out this article from Ryan Mathews from earlier in the week.

1 p.m. ET games​

• Eagles at Vikings — FOX — Local Detroit game
• Raiders at Chiefs — CBS — Local Detroit game
• Saints at Bears — FOX
• Panthers at Jets — FOX
• Dolphins at Browns— CBS
• Patriots at Titans — CBS

4 p.m. ET games​

• Packers at Cardinals — 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX — Local Detroit game
• Commanders at Cowboys — 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
• Giants at Broncos — 4:05 p.m. ET — CBS
• Colts at Chargers — 4:05 p.m. ET — CBS

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/game...fl-week-7-games-live-chat-all-afternoon-games