TAMPA, Fla. -- No preseason game really matters, but this is the one that matters the most.

The third exhibition is affectionately referred to as the "dress rehearsal" for a reason. Starters get their longest burn of the preseason, which makes it feel more like real football. And the Lions have even watched some tape and worked up a simplified game plan for tonight's game in Tampa against the Buccaneers. Hey, it's even on national TV! (8 p.m., CBS)

Here are nine players to watch in this game, our last real opportunity to see anyone who matters before the start of the regular season.

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

QB Matthew Stafford

With Stafford expected to sit out next week's preseason finale, this will be his best and last opportunity to find a rhythm before the season opener. He's played three drives to this point, and completed just 2 of his 5 passes for 51 yards, 42 of which came on a catch-and-run by Theo Riddick. But little of this is his fault either. He was under near-constant duress against the Giants last week. On seven dropbacks, he was sacked twice and hit his hand on a defender while releasing another pass. Expect to see Stafford play roughly a half tonight, and for Detroit to give him opportunities to find a groove against a live defense.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

LT Taylor Decker

As you could surmise from that Stafford bit, the offensive line was dreck last week. And it wasn't just guys on the end of the bench who struggled either. Decker was as unenlightening as anybody, including allowing two sacks. One was nullified by penalty, but I'm sure that doesn't make Jake Rudock feel any better. Stafford took a hit at Decker's expense too, on a play where Olivier Vernon just tossed him aside. We know Decker is better than this, and he sounded determined in the locker room this week to put that night behind him. Tonight, he'll get that opportunity. And with Stafford getting his most extensive action of the preseason, you can bet Detroit is counting on him to deliver.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

RB Ameer Abdullah

Abdullah played extensively in the preseason opener, then actually started last week against the Giants. There are a lot of theories as to why he's getting so many key reps, one of which is Detroit's trying to showcase him for a possible trade. At the very least, the club is is obviously trying to get him meaningful work, and it's reasonable to expect that to continue tonight. Abdullah was solid in the opener, including scoring the offense's only touchdown, but fumbled on offense and muffed a kick on special teams last week against the Giants.

Don't Edit

AP Photo

LB Miles Killebrew

It's a little boring to put the same guy on this list three straight weeks, but I'm nothing if not boring. Just ask my mother. (Hi, Mom!) But I can't think of a player straddling the roster bubble more squarely than this guy. On the one hand, he just made the move from safety to linebacker a couple weeks ago, which means barring something cataclysmic, he almost certainly won't be a factor there. Then again, the Lions do need more 'backers on hand for the new scheme and just lost Steve Longa for the year. Longa, like Killebrew, didn't figure to play much defense. But he was a valuable reserve because of what he offered on special teams, and Killebrew likewise is a major component there, logging 277 snaps last season. Showing coaches he's improving on defense, and has upside as a linebacker, would go a long ways toward ensuring he's collecting checks from Martha Ford next month.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

TE Michael Roberts

Was asked the other day about my pick for the biggest surprise cut next week, and I couldn't think of anybody else other than Roberts. To be clear, I still think he's more likely to make the team than not. He's an adequate blocker with good hands, plus he was a fourth-round pick just last year, so it'd be tough for Bob Quinn to give up on him so soon. Still, he hasn't been good in camp and has just one catch halfway through the preseason. He definitely hasn't made the Year 2 leap for which many in Allen Park were hoping. If Quinn doesn't want to carry a fourth tight end, Roberts could be in danger. A bounce-back performance against Tampa would go a long way toward shoring up his spot on the team.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

CB Sterling Moore

Among the wave of players to join the squad this week, linebacker Eli Harold is the most intriguing. He's a serious candidate to back up Devon Kennard as the pass-rushing/edge-setting 'backer. But the ink on that trade isn't even 24 hours old yet, so it's unclear whether or how much he'll play. So among the new guys, I'll have my eye on Moore. He's an ex-Pat, for one, which has real currency in Allen Park these days. He also acquired starting experience during stints with Dallas, New Orleans and Tampa Bay the last few years. And with DeShawn Shead battling injury, there could be an opening at the position.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

DE Ezekiel Ansah

You might not have heard his name much in his preseason debut against the Giants, but pop in the tape and you'll see some good things. That's especially true in the running game, where he did a nice job setting the edge. Now for $17.143 million bones, Detroit eventually needs Ansah to do more than set an edge. But it was a solid start for a guy who has taken a lot of football off this year. Now he needs to take the next step, and start disrupting the passing game. Seeing him get after Jameis Winston would help allay concerns about whether he can put an uneven couple seasons behind him.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

DT A'Shawn Robinson

The former second-round pick was quiet throughout training camp, and didn't do much in the opener against Oakland. Last week, he lost his starting job to Ricky Jean Francois and rookie Da'Shawn Hand. His roster spot is almost certainly safe, but there's no question he's trending in the wrong direction with just 17 days left until the opener. Few regulars could use a big night against Tampa more than this guy.

Don't Edit

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

LB Jarrad Davis

Matt Patricia shrugged off that touchdown Davis allowed on third-and-8 against New York, and the man has a point. It was just one play in a game that doesn't count. All concerns (as well as hype) should be tempered this time of year, especially when based on a single play. But at the same time, Davis did struggle in pass coverage last year too. So, yeah, this was a single play in an exhibition, but it's not exactly the kind of thing you want to see out of a linebacker with documented issues covering the pass either. Seeing him cover the pass better against Tampa would support Patricia's continued confidence in the second-year pro.