Lions vs. Buccaneers Game Guide: Starters, Matchups, Depth Chart and Injuries

For two young teams looking to claw their way into the NFL Playoffs, every game for the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is critical. This game is doubly so, as these two teams may be fighting for one Wild Card spot at the end of the season.

Here's your complete guide to this crucial Lions - Buccaneers matchup: projected starters, injury reports, and key matchups to look for. First, the projected starters; easy to project for a season-opening contest between two relatively healthy teams.

Lions Projected Starters

QB: Matthew Stafford

RB: Jahvid Best

WR: Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson

TE: Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler

LT: Jeff Backus

LG: Rob Sims

C: Dominic Raiola

RG: Stephen Peterman

RT: Gosder Cherilus

DE: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril

DT: Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams

OLB: Justin Durant, DeAndre Levy

MLB: Stephen Tulloch

CB: Chris Houston, Eric Wright

S: Louis Delmas, Amari Spievey

Buccaneers Projected Starters

QB: Josh Freeman

RB: LeGarrette Blount

WR: Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn

LT: Donald Penn

LG: Ted Larsen

C: Jeff Faine

RG: Davin Joseph

RT: Jeremy Trueblood

TE: Kellen Winslow

FB: Earnest Graham

DE: Michael Bennett, Adrian Clayborn

DT: Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller

SLB: Quincy Black

MLB: Mason Foster

WLB: Geno Hayes

LCB: Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber

SS: Sean Jones

FS: Cody Grimm

Lions Injury Report

Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE: Not Injury Related, Did Not Participate In Practice

Nick Fairley,  DT: Foot, Did Not Participate In Practice, Out

Jason Fox, T: Foot, Did Not Participate In Practice, Out

Alphonso Smith, CB: Foot, Full Participation in Practice, Out

Andre Fluellen, DT: Hand, Full Participation in Practice, Probable

Maurice Morris, RB: Hand, Full Participation in Practice, Probable

The Lions' report is Fairley short (my apologies for the pun!). Vanden Bosch will be held out of practice almost every Wednesday this year, in order to keep him fresh for the stretch run. 

Buccaneers Injury Report

Kellen Winslow, TE: Not Injury Related, Did Not Participate In Practice

Myron Lewis, CB: Ankle, Did Not Participate In Practice, Out

Dekoda Watson, LB: Hamstring, Limited Participation in Practice, Questionable

Ted Larsen, C: Ankle, Full Participation in Practice, Probable

The Bucs' report is even cleaner. Winslow, like Vanden Bosch, is getting rested on Wednesday's this year. In Winslow's case, it's to save wear and tear on his reconstructed knee.

Key Matchups

Aquib Talib might have had this day circled for a long time as the day he'd step back onto the field and take on Calvin Johnson. Talib told Irv Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune "I can't wait for a chance to go against him. He's one of the top guys in the league and I can't wait to get back on the field in front of the fans and get it cracking again.''

However, the real matchup to watch isn't Johnson vs. Talib, it's Nate Burleson vs. Ronde Barber. Burleson has looked electric in the preseason, like the player the Lions paid $25 million to. Barber's entering his 15th NFL season; while the outstanding cornerback is likely headed to the Hall of Fame, it'll be worth watching to see if his craftiness can hold Burleson's "Toe Drag Swag" in check.

The other WR-CB duel to watch is Tampa wide receiver Arrelious Benn vs. Eric Wright. Wright, the Lions' new cornerback, received death threats in Cleveland after allowing Ravens WR Anquan Boldin to burn him for three touchdowns. Boldin is listed at 6'1" 223 pounds. Benn goes 6'2" 220. If Wright again struggles to contain the big, strong wideout, the Lions' day could be long.

Keep an eye on Vanden Bosch vs. Donald Penn. Penn, the Bucs' young Pro Bowl left tackle, will be a big challenge for Vanden Bosch, the veteran DE. If KVB can't get pressure on Freeman, the Bucs will be able to do some damage downfield. The Lions may rotate in Lawrence Jackson if Vanden Bosch isn't effective.

Finally, look out for LeGarrett Blount vs. Stephen Tulloch. Blount's incredible 15-carry, 110-yard performance against the Lions last season underscored just how badly they needed an upgrade in the middle; now that they've got one they'll have to hope he's enough of an upgrade to make a difference.