JoeBucsFan.com analyst Steve Campbell takes a look at what the Bucs offensive line can expect from Detroit's defense.

By Steve Campbell
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

This week the Bucs face a hungry but decimated defense up in Motown.

The Lions, despite what I think is good coaching from former Bucs coaches Rod Marinelli and Joe Barry, have put up horrendous defensive numbers this season. Detroit is 31st in the league in total yards and points per game. They are also dead last (32nd) in rushing defense, giving up over 171 yards a game on the ground.

In addition, it appears the Lions will be without their best defensive lineman, former Bucs stud Dewayne White. Look for journeyman and another former Bucs player, Corey Smith (14 tackles, 2 sacks) to start in White’s place at right defensive end.

The Lions defense up the middle has been pretty poor, and that can be attributed to their below average defensive tackles. Former Bucs tackle Chuck Darby (9 tackles, 0 sacks), Cory Redding (31 tackles, 3 sacks) and Shaun Cody (22 tackles, 0 sacks) will rotate at the two defensive tackle positions. On the left side, Trueblood will match up against 10th-year veteran Jared Devries (28 tackles, 2 sacks). Devries is a hardnosed player, but that is a matchup in which Trueblood should flourish. Ikaika Alama-Francis (10 tackles, 0.5 sacks) could also see some time at one of the defensive end spots.