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Two of the NFC’s elite are set to meet in the Motor City, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Detroit Lions to kick off a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.

The Lions enter Monday’s game with a 4-2 record and are looking to bounce back from a tough primetime loss on Sunday night to the Chiefs. The Buccaneers are 5-1 and continue to find ways to win, as four of their five wins have come by one score, though Week 6 was their first two-score win of the season.

Availability will be a major subplot of this matchup, as Detroit’s secondary will be without suspended safety Brian Branch, injured safety Kerby Joseph and injured cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Terrion Arnold. Whether Tampa Bay can take advantage remains to be seen, as receivers Emeka Egbuka and Mike Evans are on the mend from hamstring injuries, while Chris Godwin Jr. remains out.

While it’s still the first half of the season, Monday’s showdown could have major implications in the NFC standings down the season’s stretch run. The Sporting News is tracking live score updates and highlights from the first half of the “Monday Night Football” doubleheader.

STREAM: Watch Lions vs. Buccaneers live with the new ESPN app

Lions vs. Buccaneers score

 

NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule

Lions vs. Buccaneers live updates, highlights from ‘Monday Night Football’

8:22 p.m.: According to ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Evans has been ruled out with a concussion. A brutal injury for someone who is in their first game back.

8:19 p.m.: Detroit had to punt after being backed in its own territory, but on the first play for Tampa Bay, Amik Robertson punches out the football from Sterling Shephard and the Lions fall on the fumble.

Detroit forces its first turnover of the night and is set up in Tampa Bay territory.

8:15 p.m.: The Lions defense has showed up in the first half, and now, they get to Mayfield again for the second time tonight.

Tampa Bay is forced to punt again with 4:13 remaining. It would be the first time this season that the Buccaneers are held scoreless in the first half.

8:11 p.m.: Evans returned to action after three games out with a hamstring injury, but he just suffered another one.

Mayfield tried hitting him deep and Evans stayed down on the turf. He eventually got up and was helped off by trainers.

Lions 14, Buccaneers 0

8:07 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the most electric players in football, and here, he shows why.

Right after the penalty, Gibbs breaks loose on a halfback dive, and nobody was going to catch him in a foot race.

It went for 78 yards, Detroit’s longest play of the season.

8:06 p.m.: It’s the second time tonight a Buccaneers’ penalty on third down keeps the drive moving for Detroit.

Here, it’s an illegal contact penalty on Jamel Dean.

7:57 p.m.: On a 3rd & 6 at the 50, Mayfield tries going for Evans on the right sideline, and while Evans catches it, he does not get two feet down.

It was Rock Ya-Sin, who was called for the earlier pass interference penalty, who was in coverage.

7:55 p.m.: The Buccaneers have their first passing first down of the game, with Mayfield hitting tight end Cade Otton by the left hashes.

7:50 p.m.: Tampa Bay has been able to get to get to Goff, and now they have its first sack of the night. SirVocea Dennis goes in between the left tackle and guard and brings down No. 16, and Tampa Bay has the ball back.

Neither team has scored since the first drive of the game.

7:47 p.m.: Detroit has been able to pick up big yardage on every drive so far, and it happens again on the first play of drive No. 4. Goff hits David Montgomery on a halfback screen, and Montgomery turns upfield for 15 yards.

7:43 p.m.: The Buccaneers punt for the third straight drive to open the game, after Alim McNeil gets his hand on the ball and deflects it into the backfield on a 3rd & 3.

7:40 p.m.: The Buccaneers have their first chunk of yards of the game, but it comes on a pass interference penalty.

Mayfield tries to hit Evans down the left sideline, and he almost caught it. The penalty on Rock Ya-Sin moves the ball 27 yards.

End of the first quarter: Lions 7, Buccaneers 0

7:36 p.m.: At the end of one, Detroit has a 7-0 lead.

The Lions have outgained Tampa Bay 160 yards to 15, but two crucial stops by the Buccaneers defense have kept the game within a score.

7:35 p.m.: Though the Lions have been in Buccaneers territory every drive, they have only converted once. Dan Campbell opted to go for it on 4th & 2, but it was unsuccessful, with Goff overthrowing rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa in the end zone.

The Buccaneers have forced one turnover and a turnover on downs.

7:32 p.m.: St. Brown already has three catches of over 10 yards in this game. This time it’s for 16 yards on 2nd & 7 to get a new set of downs.

A few plays later, Goff hits Gibbs for his second reception over 20 yards to get down to the 26.

7:26 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 7, Mayfield hits Rachaad White on a screen pass, but the back is immediately wrapped up by star linebacker Jack Campbell.

Campbell had over 100 tackles in 2024 and leads the team in tackles this season.

7:20 p.m.: Tampa Bay’s defense just came up huge, forcing the first turnover of the night.

On third down, Yaya Diaby got to Goff in the backfield, and he fumbles it and Tampa Bay recovers. Mayfield and co. take over at the 40.

7:19 p.m.: The Lions’ second drive starts the same way as the first, with Goff hitting St. Brown for long yardage. This time it goes for 24 yards to get down to the Tampa Bay 41.

7:15 p.m.: The Buccaneers stall out on drive one, with Mayfield hitting Sterling Shephard on third down short of the sticks.

Detroit has the ball back past the 30.

7:12 p.m.: Baker and Mayfield and co. are on the field for the first time starting from the 15-yard line.

On the return, Tez Johnson returned it past midfield, but it was called back for a penalty.

Lions 7, Buccaneers 0

7:08 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: One drive, one score.

Detroit strikes first, and it’s the primary connection from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The superstar wide receiver got open on a crossing route from right to left, and strolled in for a 27-yard score.

The Lions strike first blood.

7:07 p.m.: The Lions have the first chunk play of the game, with Goff hitting Jahymr Gibbs out in the backfield, and Gibbs cuts on a dime to go for 30 yards.

7:06 p.m.: The Lions faced a 3rd & 6, and Goff tries to find Khalif Raymond in the slot. Though it went incomplete, a pass interference penalty on Tampa Bay keeps the drive going.

7:03 p.m.: Tampa Bay has kicked off and we are underway in Detroit.

Two of the league’s top teams go at it in game one of two of the night.

7:00 p.m.: We are moments away from kickoff in one of the most anticipated games of the week.

The Buccaneers (5-1) and Lions (4-2) are both Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, and tonight, one of them leaves with a statement win.

6:44 p.m.: One of the main matchups of tonight is the quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff.

Goff and Mayfield are both top seven in the NFL in touchdowns with 14 and 12, respectively. 

6:30 p.m.: Teams are on the field for warmups.

The Lions are wearing their alternate black uniforms for the contest.

5:59 p.m: Both teams have arrived for Monday Night Football.

The Lions look to bounce back from a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.

5:35 p.m.: Tampa Bay has posted its inactives for tonight.

Most notable is star running back Bucky Irving, who has been dealing with foot and shoulder injuries

5:12 p.m.: The Buccaneers are getting back two wide receivers for Monday night’s clash.

Both Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka have been cleared ahead of kickoff.

Evans missed the past three games after injuring his hamstring against the New York Jets. Egbuka played limited snaps in Tampa Bay’s last game, a win against the 49ers. 

Where to watch Lions vs. Buccaneers

Lions vs. Buccaneers start time

  • Date: Monday, Oct. 20
  • Start time: 7 p.m. ET

The Buccaneers and Lions will be the first half of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader during Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. Kickoff from Ford Field in Detroit is set for 7 p.m. ET. 

What channel is Lions vs. Buccaneers on today?

  • Date: Monday, Oct. 20
  • TV: ABC, ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN app

This ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup will air nationally on ABC and ESPN. 

Fans can also stream ‘Monday Night Football’ between the Buccaneers and the Lions on Fubo and the ESPN app. Fubo carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is offering a free trial.

Buccaneers schedule 2025

Week Date Matchup Time (ET) TV/Result
1 Sept. 7 at Falcons 1 p.m. Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20
2 Sept. 15 at Texans 7 p.m. Buccaneers 20, Texans 19
3 Sept. 21 vs. Jets 1 p.m. Buccaneers 29, Jets 27
4 Sept. 28 vs. Eagles 1 p.m. Eagles 31, Buccaneers 25
5 Oct. 5 at Seahawks 4:05 p.m. Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 35
6 Oct. 12 vs. 49ers 4:25 p.m. Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19
7 Oct. 20 at Lions 7 p.m. ABC, ESPN, Fubo
8 Oct. 26 at Saints 4:05 p.m. Fox, Fubo
9 BYE — — —
10 Nov. 9 vs. Patriots 1 p.m. CBS, Fubo, Paramount+
11 Nov. 16 at Bills 1 p.m. CBS, Fubo, Paramount+
12 Nov. 23 at Rams 8:20 p.m. NBC, Fubo, Peacock
13 Nov. 30 vs. Cardinals 1 p.m. Fox, Fubo
14 Dec. 7 vs. Saints 1 p.m. CBS, Fubo, Paramount+
15 Dec. 11 vs. Falcons 8:15 p.m. Amazon Prime Video
16 Dec. 21 at Panthers 4:30 p.m. Fox, Fubo
17 Dec. 28 at Dolphins 1 p.m. Fox, Fubo
18 Jan. 4 vs. Panthers TBD TBD

Lions schedule 2025

Week Date Matchup Time (ET) TV/Result
1 Sept. 7 at Packers 4:25 p.m. Packers 27, Lions 13
2 Sept. 14 vs. Bears 1 p.m. Lions 52, Bears 21
3 Sept. 22 at Ravens 8:15 p.m. Lions 38, Ravens 30
4 Sept. 28 vs. Browns 1 p.m. Lions 34, Browns 10
5 Oct. 5 at Bengals 4:25 p.m. Lions 37, Bengals 24
6 Oct. 12 at Chiefs 8:20 p.m. Chiefs 30, Lions 17
7 Oct. 20 vs. Buccaneers 7 p.m. ABC, ESPN, Fubo
8 BYE — — —
9 Nov. 2 vs. Vikings 1 p.m. Fox, Fubo
10 Nov. 9 at Commanders 4:25 p.m. Fox, Fubo
11 Nov. 16 at Eagles 8:20 p.m. NBC, Fubo, Peacock
12 Nov. 23 vs. Giants 1 p.m. Fox, Fubo
13 Nov. 27 vs. Packers 1 p.m. Fox, Fubo
14 Dec. 4 vs. Cowboys 8:15 p.m. Amazon Prime Video
15 Dec. 14 at Rams 4:25 p.m.  Fox, Fubo
16 Dec. 21 vs. Steelers 4:25 p.m. CBS, Fubo, Paramount+
17 Dec. 25 at Vikings 4:30 p.m. Netflix
18 TBD at Bears TBD TBD
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