The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will clash on Monday night in one of the biggest NFC matchups of the season. Both teams are towards the top of the NFC standings and are vying for the No. 1 overall seed in the conference. This game could have massive playoff implications down the line, so be sure to tune in.

Here are some key storylines, players to watch and bold predictions for Monday’s game.

Key Storylines

What can Baker Mayfield do without so many weapons?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense has been completely decimated with injuries this season. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan and now Emeka Egbuka have all missed time, and there’s a very good chance that all four of those guys don’t suit up on Monday night. And if any of them do, they won’t be anywhere near 100 percent.

We’ve seen that, with Irving out, the Bucs run game has struggled. They’ve relied heavily on Baker Mayfield’s arm to get the job done, but how long can they keep that up?

Last week, Egbuka left the game early with an injury, leaving Mayfield without his top four receivers and his top running back. And what did he do? Just completed 74 percent of his passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Something slight.

This week, though, he’ll be tasked with keeping up with a Lions offense that is one of the best in the league, and is very healthy. Will Mayfield be able to keep up without his five best offensive players? Or will the Lions run away with this game?

Can Jahmyr Gibbs take over this game?

Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the sport right now, but it feels like he’s being a bit overshadowed this season by the likes of Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey. Gibbs hasn’t quite put up their numbers, but his 390 rushing yards, 112 receiving yards and five touchdowns are nothing to laugh at, especially because he’s doing that in a split backfield.

I feel like Gibbs is going to have a very important role to play in this game. The Buccaneers have the fifth-best run defense in football, so I don’t expect the Lions to run it all that often. What I do expect is for them to use Gibbs out of the backfield on screens and short routes as an extension of the run game.

I think Gibbs could end up being the X-factor on Monday night, so let’s see what he can do and if the Bucs can stop him.

Which defense can get a stop late?

These two teams are very similar. Offensively, Detroit ranks 2nd in points per game (33.1) and Tampa ranks sixth (29.0). Defensively, Detroit and Tampa rank 20th and 22nd in opponent points per game, giving up 21.5 and 22.7 PPG respectively.

Needless to say, on paper, this is a very even matchup. Both offense should find quite a bit of success, even with some of the injuries the Buccaneers are dealing with. So, the question becomes, which defense can get a stop late in the game?

It’s very likely that this is a 21-24 ball game, or something along those lines, late. This just feels like a game where the last team to touch the ball will win, so I’m curious to see which defense can come up with a big play late. Can someone force a costly interception? Or maybe get a sack and put the other team behind the chains and force them to punt/go for it on 4th-and-long?

It will be an interesting battle. I think this game will be won on defense, not offense.

Players to Watch

Tez Johnson (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The top player to watch in this game is Tez Johnson. With the Buccaneers top four receivers potentially out (Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka are questionable, but seem unlikely to play), Johnson is going to have an increased role on Monday night.

Over his last two games, Johnson has caught five passes for 104 yards, including a huge 45-yard touchdown. He’s going to be involved on Monday, so keep your eye on him when the Bucs have the ball.

Cade Otton (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Another guy who should see an increased role in the passing game this week is Cade Otton. The long-time Buccaneer had just 34 yards in the first four games, but has caught nine passes for 132 yards in the Bucs last two games. He has become Mayfield’s safety blanket with a lot of top receivers out, so look for him to have a big game on Monday.

Amik Robertson (CB, Detroit Lions)

With Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox out, Amik Robertson is going to see an increased role this week as well. After playing 38 or less snaps the first four weeks, Robertson has played 62 in each of the last two. He’s going to be the Lions’ top corner in this game.

Robertson will be tasked with stopping whichever receivers the Buccaneers throw out there. Despite his low PFF grades, Robertson has shown a ton of fight these past couple weeks. He’s listed at 5-foot-8, but plays much bigger than that and made some plays while covering Ja’Marr Chase a couple weeks back.

It will be very interesting to see if the Bucs WRs can take advantage of the Lions’ banged up secondary.

Bold Predictions

Rachaad White has a CMC-type game

The Lions have a pretty formidable defense, especially against the run, but I think Rachaad White could have a pretty good game tonight.

The Lions are going to expect Mayfield to drop back and pass despite all the injuries to his wideouts. That will open some things up in the run game for White, but I’m really looking for him to make a splash in the pass game. He’s had at least three catches in each of his last three games, but if all four of Tampa’s wideouts are out, he should be even more involved than normal.

I’m not looking for 180+ yards from scrimmage, but a nice 80+ rushing yards, 40+ receiving yards game wouldn’t be too bad. Throw in a touchdown or two and that’s a really good day for Tampa’s backup running back.

Multi-sack game for Vita Vea

The Detroit Lions have one of the best offensive lines in football. Jared Goff has only been sacked nine times this season and Gibbs and David Montgomery are averaging well over 4.5 yards per carry this season. However, if there’s one weakness in their offensive line, it’s their guard.

This season, Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge have both given up two sacks and 10+ pressures. Those are some really bad numbers for guards through six games. For reference, Penei Sewell, who is going up against some of the best edge rushers in the league, has given up five pressures and no sacks.

Vita Vea may only have 1.5 sacks this season, but he’s one of the best pass rushing defensive tackles in the league. If he can take advantage of the Lions’ weak guard play, he could end up with 1.5+ sacks on Monday.

Bucs game-winning drive falls short

Despite all the injuries they have on offense, I think the Buccaneers offense can keep pace with the Lions. Detroit’s defense is solid, but Mayfield is playing like the MVP of this league right now and should be able to keep the Bucs alive.

I expect this game to come down to the final few possessions, and I can already see what’s going to happen. Tampa is going to have the ball late with the chance to tie or win the game, and Mayfield’s going to look for one of his unproven wideouts on a crucial third or fourth down, and they’re going to drop it, and Detroit’s going to win.