How 2024 Buccaneers are different than team the Lions beat twice last season

Allen Park — We were returned to the days of the NFC Central last season with the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing twice. Hell, they were even kind enough to wear their glorious creamsicle throwbacks for the regular season matchup in October.

The Lions emerged victorious in both meetings, grinding out a 20-6 win on the road in Week 6, before using a 14-point fourth quarter to fend off the pesky Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the postseason at Ford Field.

The Bucs have been good for a minute. Things obviously picked up when quarterback Tom Brady joined the franchise, resulting in a Super Bowl championship in 2020-21. But even following the Hall of Famer's retirement, the team has remained atop its division, claiming three consecutive South crowns.

Based on the way Tampa manhandled the Washington Commanders in last week’s opener — cruising to a 17-point win — the Lions will have their hands full with the Buccaneers, once again.

But what’s different about this team, compared to the one the Lions bested twice last year. Let’s take a look.