Halftime analysis: Lions cough up lead, dealing with injuries on O-line

DETROIT — If you need to use the restroom, better do it now. Because the most important 30 minutes of Detroit football in forever are upon us.

The Lions are locked in a 10-all tie in a divisional-round game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field. They’ve led for most of the game thanks to a 9-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds, but the bend-but-don’t-break defense finally broke with 15 seconds left in the first half.

Facing third-and-1 from his own 28-yard line, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambled to move the chains, then heaved bombs of 27 and 29 yards to Mike Evans on the next two plays. And just like that, Tampa was on the goal line. Then tight end Cade Otton beat linebacker Alex Anzalone on a route to the corner of the end zone, and Mayfield didn’t miss him, knotting up the score mere seconds before intermission. The Bucs drove 92 yards in 73 seconds overall, plus get the ball back to open the third quarter.

Detroit has led most of the game, but has struggled to separate due to some uncharacteristic struggles from the offense. Jared Goff did cook on the second series of the game, completing 9 of 10 passes while converting four straight third downs, including firing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Reynolds on third-and-4. Reynolds ran a post route up the right seam, and Tampa broke a coverage.

But other than that, the Lions have managed just a field goal against that stout Tampa defense, which has played so well over the last two months, and especially against the run. The Lions’ longest carry so far belongs to … Jared Goff, who had a 7-yard scramble.

Now the going could get even tougher now that the Lions have two interior offensive linemen dealing with injury. Left guard Jonah Jackson left with a knee injury and headed to the locker room, while center Frank Ragnow briefly left the game with a knee injury before returning.

The Lions already have backup guard Kayode Awosika in the game for Jackson. If Ragnow does have to leave the game again — forcing Graham Glasgow from right guard to center — the Lions will be forced to turn to rookie Colby Sorsdal at right guard. The fifth-round pick has been mostly a disaster this season.

The injuries could put a dent in the Lions’ biggest position of strength, and in a game against one of the biggest, most-talented defensive fronts in the league.

How’s your pulse, Detroit?