Tuesday open thread: How long Lions should starters play vs. the Buccaneers?

It hasn’t been a great go for the Detroit Lions’ starters thus far this preseason. While the offense has only had three series with Matthew Stafford behind center, it hasn’t gone all that well. The starting defense has played a little bit more this preseason and the results have been similarly disappointing.

In other words, it certainly looks like this team isn’t quite ready for the regular season yet, and they could probably use some serious in-game practice before opening the year against the New York Jets at home.

But they really only have one more opportunity. Starters don’t typically play in the preseason finale, leaving just Friday’s game against the Buccaneers to get ready. Obviously,…