Leading up to the Divisional Playoff game this weekend, Detroit Lions’ defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receivers, likening them to the caliber of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. However, Gardner-Johnson didn’t shy away from taking a dig at Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield, as reported by Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett.
Gardner-Johnson stated, “This group is probably one of the better ones we’ve faced all year, besides that Tampa group. If you give that Tampa group a good quarterback, that’s a great group. Evans, Godwin, (Russell) Gage, that’s a great group. I played against them for real.”
Injecting some bulletin board material, Gardner-Johnson, no stranger to facing the Buccaneers eight times in his career with the Saints and the Lions, suggested that the Bucs are lacking a quality quarterback. This statement is intriguing, especially considering Mayfield is currently enjoying the best season of his career and recently became the only Buccaneers quarterback in history to record 300+ passing yards and 3 touchdowns in a playoff game.
With Baker and the Buccaneers’ offense in top form, and considering Detroit’s defense’s vulnerability to big plays and points, the Bucs now understand how they are perceived by the Lions’ players. This revelation is likely to fuel the Buccaneers with added motivation as they approach the upcoming matchup, aiming to avenge their Week six loss to the same Lions’ team.
