Saturday, 4 a.m.
A million years ago, the Detroit Lions had a funny defensive tackle named Alex Karras.
Later, they had Barry Sanders.
And there you go, everything that matters about the history of the Detroit Lions.
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Ah, the poor Lions. No Super Bowl appearances. No victories. Nine playoff appearances over the last 30 years, and no victories. No, the Lions are not the most relevant franchise in the NFL.
Which is what is so impressive about the way coach Dan Campbell has turned around a franchise.
He took. a shaky quarterback -- Jarod Goff, who was Baker Mayfield before Mayfield -- and has convinced a roster to believe. They've beaten Kansas City. They've beaten Atlanta. They've beaten Green Bay. Their only loss was to Seattle in overtime.
Now they have the Bucs, a team of overachievers themselves.
This is a big one in the resurgence of two franchises. If the Bucs can win this one, their start will be more impressive.
On the other hand, they're thinking the same thing in Detroit, too.
The Lions are in the top 10 in rushing and in passing, so they'll be the best offense the Bucs have faced. The run defense is solid.
This time, home field won[‘t be advantage for the Bucs.
Prediction: Detroit 28, Tampa Bay 24.
In other NFL games:
Cincinnati 23, Seattle 17.
New Orleans 30, Houston, 20.
Philadelphia 27, N.Y. Jets 20.
Dallas 24, San Diego 20.
New England 3, Las Vegas 2.
And in the college game:
USF 16, FAU 14.
FSU 26, Syracuse 14.
South Carolina 19, Florida 17.
North Carolina 27, Miami 21.
Notre Dame 23, Maimi 20.