The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open their 2011 regular season against the same team they ended their 2010 season.

The Bucs will host the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m. The last time the two teams met, the Bucs came up on the short end of a 23-20 score.

The Buccaneer defense will have to face a man known as “Megatron”  (6’5” wide receiver Calvin Johnson) on offense, and the offense will be looking at a force known as Ndamukong Suh.

The Bucs finished the 2010 season with a 10-6 record and just missed the playoffs. The Lions won all of their preseason games this year, and ended last season on a win streak.

Buccaneer head coach, Raheem Morris, knows his team has to be mentally and physically ready to challenge the Lions. Buc quarterback Josh Freeman and the offense did not show any rhythm or timing during the preseason and will not get a break against a Lion defense that is considered one of the best in the NFL.

The Buccaneer defense staggered out of the blocks, but finished strong, and Coach Morris is pleased with the depth on that side of the ball.

Sources indicate the Bucs are 3-point favorites over the Lions.