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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night

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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night


DETROIT — Every time NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is at a Lions game, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs says he wants “to show out,” which is exactly what happened Monday night in a 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gibbs was spectacular, totaling 218 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as the Lions continue to make a case to be the NFL’s best following a loss.

After falling at Kansas City in Week 6, Detroit bounced back with another home win while breaking out their all-black uniforms for the first time this season. Detroit is now 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 campaign, which is the second-best record in NFL over span after the Chiefs (11-2), per ESPN Reference.

Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:

Detroit Lions (5-2)

Most surprising performance: Despite playing without starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (suspension) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Detroit’s defense stepped up, particularly in the secondary while forcing both of the Bucs’ turnovers by halftime. The unit held an explosive Tampa Bay offense to 58 yards through two quarters and 251 for the game with four sacks. Lions cornerback Amik Robertson forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the second quarter, and cornerback Arthur Maulet ripped the ball away from Bucs tight end Cade Otton for an interception later in the half.

Biggest hole in game plan: Third-down conversions. Detroit went 3-for-13 on third-down attempts. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he wasn’t pleased with their third-down efficiency at halftime.

Stat to know: Gibbs broke free up the middle for the longest run of his NFL career with a 78-yard touchdown with 5:51 left in the first half. Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he’s done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown in 2024 versus the Titans during Week 8. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 2)


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)

With the return of franchise’s scoring leader in Mike Evans (hamstring) and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), the stars seemed set to align for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Motown, especially considering the Lions would be playing without nearly every starter in their secondary.

But that would not be the case, between the gaffes on defense and Evans leaving the game in the second quarter with a concussion and a shoulder injury after colliding with Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass. The offense struggled to get going, and Mayfield couldn’t connect with the team’s leading receiver in Egbuka — going 4-for-12 for 58 yards while targeting him.

Tampa Bay came into the game with the best record in the NFC, but this loss pulled them back into the pack.

What to make of the quarterback performance: Mayfield looked uncomfortable and out of rhythm throughout the night, completing 28-of-50 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown with one interception, although you can’t pin that one on Mayfield when it was wrestled out of Otton’s hands. The one bright spot was Mayfield slipping the ball past Hutchinson on a screen pass and connecting with rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson on a 22-yard touchdown. Mayfield also fumbled the ball on a sack from Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyrus Wheat, although it was recovered by Tampa Bay tackle Tristan Wirfs. It wasn’t a typical outing from a signal-caller who had been playing at an MVP level this season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Just like the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans, the Bucs’ defense surrendered an explosive play and a touchdown on the opening drive. And once again, Tampa Bay looked vulnerable in the flat throughout the game. On the opening drive, the Bucs surrendered a 30-yard reception to Gibbs coming out of the backfield; that was on SirVocea Dennis. They had issues with Gibbs in the flat again on a 24-yard catch then on a 28-yard reception, during which Dennis dove at his ankles, setting a touchdown in the third quarter.

Biggest surprise: The run defense — fifth best in the league in giving up 3.7 yards per carry — surrendered Gibbs’ 78-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and the Lions averaged 5.1 yards per carry and finished with 164 yards. On Gibbs’ play, the Bucs had both interior defensive linemen — Greg Gaines and Elijah Roberts — drop back into coverage with three defensive backs, Jacob Parrish, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum, attempting to converge on Gibbs in the backfield. But Gibbs found daylight to add to his huge night once past Roberts and Lavonte David. — Jenna Laine

Next game: at New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)



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Fulham to revisit USMNT’s Ricardo Pepi transfer in summer – sources

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Fulham to revisit USMNT’s Ricardo Pepi transfer in summer – sources


Fulham are likely to reignite their interest in United States men’s striker Ricardo Pepi in the summer transfer window after the potential move broke down this January, sources have told ESPN.

Fulham and PSV Eindhoven were close to agreeing on a fee in the region of €37 million ($43.9m) for the USMNT striker, but the deal was contingent on PSV finding a replacement, according to sources.

With the transfer deadline ticking ever closer, PSV pulled the plug on the deal as they were unable to find a suitable candidate to fill Pepi’s shoes.

The Premier League side has already recruited Oscar Bobb this window and was keen to add the young striker as well.

Pepi, 23, has been in fantastic form for PSV this season, scoring eight goals in 15 Eredivisie matches. He is seen as an ideal target to bolster Fulham’s forward options, though he is out currently with a broken forearm.

Sources say that Fulham are keen to explore another move for Pepi in the summer.

The 23-year-old began his career at FC Dallas before spells at Augsburg and Groningen before joining PSV, where he has 26 goals in 60 games, alongside 13 in 34 for the USMNT.

Transfer deadline day: Follow the latest moves
10 of the best Premier League signings in January



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Pakistan Shaheens announce squad for T20’s, ODI’s – SUCH TV

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Pakistan Shaheens announce squad for T20’s, ODI’s – SUCH TV



Pakistan Shaheens have announced their squad for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against England Lions to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with Shamil Hussain named captain for both formats.

All matches of the series will be held at the Oval Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The three-match T20 series will begin on February 20, followed by a five-match ODI series from February 27 to March 9.

Abdul Samad, Hassan Nawaz, Moaz Sadaqat and Saad Khan have been included in the squad, along with Sameer Minhas and Arafat Minhas.

Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig will share wicketkeeping duties.

Spin bowlers Saad Masood and Sufyan Muqim are also part of the team, while the fast bowling unit includes Ali Raza, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Muhammad Salman and Shahid Aziz.

Pakistan Shaheens will hold a seven-day training camp in Karachi from February 11 to February 17.

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed mentor and manager of the Shaheens.

Ijaz Ahmed will serve as head coach, with Mansoor Amjad named fielding coach and Aizaz Cheema as bowling coach.



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NHL outdoor game sees its 1st goalie fight between Vasilevskiy, Swayman

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NHL outdoor game sees its 1st goalie fight between Vasilevskiy, Swayman


TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning credited the first goalie fight in an NHL outdoor game for helping to spark their historic Stadium Series comeback win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

With 8:59 left in the second period and the Bruins leading 5-2, Lightning forward Brandon Hagel tried to poke the puck from under Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman after a save. Swayman then jumped on top of Hagel next to his crease, leading to a melee between the teams while the Lightning were on a power play. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy skated from his crease to the opposite blue line during the chaos.

“I just saw Sway was swinging the blocker on [Hagel] a bit, so it was just a reflex to go to the red line and challenge him. He accepted,” Vasilevskiy said.

Swayman spotted the Tampa Bay goalie, dropped his stick and skated out to meet Vasilevskiy as the two engaged near center ice. Swayman took off his gloves and mask and signaled to Vasilevskiy to remember to remove his mask before the fists flew.

“I don’t want to hit his helmet, so I’m glad we didn’t do that,” Swayman said.

The Lightning goalie nicknamed “The Big Cat” grabbed Swayman’s collar and started throwing left hands. The Boston goalie wasn’t able to get much offense in before Vasilevskiy wrestled him to the ice.

Did Swayman know that Vasilevskiy was a lefty before their fight?

“No,” the Bruins goalie said curtly, with a laugh. “Glad we both had our first gig against each other. Really worthy opponent.”

Vasilevskiy gave him a tap on the back and then tapped the back of Swayman’s head in appreciation of the moment, grinning widely as the fans roared inside Raymond James Stadium.

“When we both fell, we just kind of said to each other nice words. It was super nice. It’s one of the biggest moments for me, because I never fought in the NHL,” Vasilevskiy said. “Big thanks to him. He was great in the net all game and great in the fight as well.”

Swayman was also appreciative.

“He wanted to win, which is good. So did I. So that’s game respecting game,” he said. “I’m fighting the biggest, toughest goalie in the league. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but glad we got the first one out of the way. Probably retire after that.”

The crowd of nearly 65,000 fans stood and cheered during the confrontation, and then again when the referee announced the goalies had both received five-minute majors for fighting. Players on both benches were on their feet, too, slapping their sticks against the boards in appreciation and respect for their netminders.

“He was throwing lefts. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t want to be the other guy,” Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov said. “I was so happy. I was so fired up. I think the bench felt it. Everyone in the building felt it. Ever since that fight, the game was turned. Vasy had to do it, I guess. He had to wake us up.”

The Lightning would score twice on 5-on-3 power plays over the next 5:12, cutting the Bruins’ lead to 5-4 heading into the third period. Kucherov tied the score in the third period, and the Lightning eventually won 6-5 in a shootout.

Tampa Bay’s rally from a four-goal deficit to win marked the largest comeback victory in franchise history and the largest in an NHL outdoor game.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he could feel the momentum starting to swing before the fight, but the goalie throwdown was an emotional high the Lightning needed at that moment.

“I was like, ‘Thank goodness something positive was going to happen to our game,'” he said. “I give Boston a lot of credit. They took it to us and we weren’t prepared for it. Vasy was pissed.”

Hagel said he felt the fight was “a big turning point in the game.”

So did Kucherov, who was also convinced that his goalie would win the fight.

“I knew he was going to beat the wheels off of Swayman right away,” Kucherov said. “We call him ‘White Tyson’ now.”



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