The Detroit Lions had a victorious showing during their Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19. When the clock hit zero at the end of the fourth quarter, the Lions walked away with a 24-9 victory, improving their record to 5-2 heading into their bye week.
This impressive win propelled the Detroit Lions to the top of the NFL Power Rankings. Both ESPN and the NFL’s official Week 8 Power Rankings have the Lions sitting at No. 1.
### A Game Full of Drama and Penalties
NFL games are always packed with drama and intense moments, and the Lions vs. Buccaneers matchup was no exception. There were heated exchanges during the contest, one of which resulted in a significant penalty for a Detroit Lions player.
Each week in the regular NFL season, the league reviews players’ actions from the previous games and issues fines or penalties as necessary. According to the NFL website, these measures are in place “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on specific game-related rule violations that may lead to accountability measures, and the list of fined players is updated every Saturday afternoon.
### Detroit Lions Player Fined
In the NFL’s Week 7 disciplinary report, Lions defensive end Tyrus Wheat was fined $5,722 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” Specifically, Wheat tripped Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield while he was in the pocket attempting a pass.
Interestingly, the referees did not flag Wheat for a foul during the game and instead credited him with a sack. However, the NFL decided to address the incident postgame with the fine.
The NFL notes that fines collected go to the Professional Athletes Foundation, which supports legends in need, and the NFL Foundation, which furthers initiatives related to the health, safety, and wellness of athletes at all levels, including youth football and community programs.
No Tampa Bay Buccaneers players were fined for their actions during this game.
### Detroit Lions’ Week 8 Outlook and Praise
With their Week 7 win, the Detroit Lions are now leading the Week 8 power rankings, a huge boost for the Motor City team. Both ESPN and the NFL’s official website have ranked the Lions No. 1.
In a feature published on Tuesday, October 21, NFL analyst Eric Edholm praised the team, stating, “Jared Goff’s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances.” He added, “The Lions might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.”
Fox Sports also placed the Lions at No. 1 in their Week 8 rankings. Analyst Ralph Vacchiano wrote, “The Lions sure bounced back nicely from their loss in Kansas City with a win over the Bucs. They aren’t perfect, but they can do it all and may be the most complete team in the NFL.”
### Conclusion
The Detroit Lions’ strong performance in Week 7 has not only improved their record but also earned them top spots in various NFL power rankings. Despite some disciplinary setbacks, like Tyrus Wheat’s fine, the team continues to prove their resilience and competitiveness as they head into their bye week.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/detroit-lions/nfl-announces-punishment-player-baker-mayfield/
