When Tez Johnson, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers broke free for a spectacular touchdown at Ford Field on , the NFL’s Week 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The play—second‑and‑eight, a perfect blend of timing and athleticism—quickly became the night’s headline, giving the Buccaneers a spark they’d been craving on the road.
Game Overview
The Lions, playing in front of roughly 65,000 fans, opened the contest with a methodical drive that ended in a field goal, putting them up 3‑0. Tampa Bay answered with a steady rushing attack, highlighted by Sean Tucker’s 12‑yard gain on third‑down. By halftime the score was tied at 10‑10, each team trading a touchdown. The second half turned into a chess match between Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Blythe. Bowles dialed up a series of quick slants and play‑action passes, hoping to exploit the Lions’ blitz packages. The Buccaneers racked up 17 points in the third quarter, but the Lions responded with a 14‑point surge, leaving the game hanging at 24‑21 with just under three minutes left.
The Play that Stole the Spotlight
At the 2:31 mark of the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers faced a second‑and‑eight on their own 42‑yard line. Quarterback Baker Mayfield dropped back, surveyed his options, and launched a high‑trajectory pass toward the right sideline. Johnson sprinted his way through a wall of linebackers, while wide receiver Ryan Miller (jersey #81) delivered what the broadcast called “the key block that allowed Tez to cut back inside.”
“SECOND AND EIGHT. TEZ JOHNSON, HE HAS PLENTY OF SPEED. GETS A BLOCK, HOPS, TOWARDS THE END ZONE, SPINNING TOUCHDOWN!” – Play‑by‑play announcer Joe BuckJohnson hurdled a safety, spun past a cornerback who tried to tackle him low, and kept his momentum all the way to the end zone. The crowd erupted. The Buccaneers elected to go for a two‑point conversion, a decision that reflected Bowles’s aggressive mindset late in the game.
Coaching Strategies and Key Contributors
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen designed the play to isolate Johnson on a one‑on‑one matchup, banking on Miller’s ability to take the defender out of the play’s primary lane. The offensive line, anchored by right tackle Graham Barton, gave Mayfield just enough pocket time to deliver a clean throw. On the defensive side, the Lions were caught in a zone shift that left a soft spot between the linebackers and the secondary. Defensive end Marcus Reed admitted after the game that the play‑action fake drew his attention away from the sideline, creating the opening Johnson exploited.
Impact on the Buccaneers’ Season
That single touchdown lifted Tampa Bay to a 27‑21 victory, snapping a two‑game losing streak and improving their record to 4‑3. The win nudged them back into second place in the NFC South, just one game behind the Carolina Panthers.
Statistically, Johnson’s single reception accounted for 112 yards after the catch—a personal best and the longest play from scrimmage by a Buccaneers receiver this season. Mayfield finished with 18 completions on 27 attempts for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Buccaneers’ offense tallied 380 total yards, while the Lions managed 332.
Analysts at NFL Network pointed out that the victory proved Bowles’s willingness to gamble on two‑point conversions; the successful attempt gave the Buccaneers a six‑point cushion that forced Detroit into a desperate final drive.
Looking Ahead
Next week, Tampa Bay travels to Atlanta to face the Falcons, a game that could determine whether the Buccaneers stay in the NFC South playoff hunt. Meanwhile, the Lions must regroup quickly; a loss would drop them to 2‑5 and jeopardize any chance at a wild‑card spot. Both teams will be watching the league‑wide trend of aggressive two‑point strategies, a topic that former coach Mike McCarthy says “could reshape how we approach fourth quarters in the next decade.”
- Date: Oct. 19, 2025
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Final Score: Buccaneers 27, Lions 21
- Key play: Tez Johnson 112‑yard TD reception
- Two‑point conversion: Successful (8‑2)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Johnson’s touchdown affect the Buccaneers’ playoff chances?
The win moved Tampa Bay to 4‑3, keeping them within a game of the NFC South lead. If they win the next two road games, they’ll likely secure a wild‑card spot, making the touchdown a pivotal moment in their postseason push.
What was the significance of the two‑point conversion?
Going for two added six points to the Buccaneers’ lead, forcing Detroit to need a touchdown and a two‑point try of their own. The successful conversion widened the margin and forced the Lions into a high‑risk, time‑pressured final drive.
Did the Lions make any strategic errors on the play?
The defensive call left a soft zone between the linebackers and the secondary, and the blitz on the right side drew attention away from the sideline. That gap allowed Miller’s block and Johnson’s cutback to succeed.
What does this game mean for the Lions’ season?
The loss dropped Detroit to 2‑5, putting them near the bottom of the NFC North. They’ll need to win at least three of their remaining eight games to stay in contention for a wild‑card slot.
Will Johnson see more targets after this performance?
Coach Bowles praised Johnson’s route‑running in post‑game interviews, hinting he’ll receive more snaps in upcoming games. With his 112‑yard play, Johnson has earned the trust of Mayfield and the offensive staff.
