Tampa Bay (9-5) at Detroit (5-9)
Series:
The Lions have a 31-27 all-time advantage over their old NFC Central rivals as they also have won two of their last three. Last season, Tampa Bay took a 38-17 win last season at Ford Field when then-quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 458 yards and four touchdowns. The Buccaneers are playing for a berth in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2007. Detroit has lost four out of it’s last five as the four losses have been by an average of 16 points
Vs. The Spread:
The Bucs are 7-7 ATS while Detroit checks in with a 6-8 ledger against the number. Tampa Bay is a surprising 3-10 ATS vs. the Lions in the last 13 meetings. The total has gone OVER in 16 of the Buccaneers’ last 20 games vs. NFC competition. The Lions are 1-9 SU in their last ten games at Ford Field and they are 6-13 ATS in the last 19 games against NFC South teams.
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -10 (-101) | -435 | O 54 (-110) |
| Detroit Lions | +10 (-119) | +355 | U 54 (-110) |
Last Week:
The Buccaneers turned an entire game around as they trailed the Falcons, 17-0, at halftime and then scored 31 second half points en route to a 31-27 win at Atlanta. Tom Brady threw for 390 yards in ripping the Falcons defense as he hit Antonio Brown with a game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass with 6:19 to play.
Detroit continued another long, daunting season as Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill ran for a score and threw for two in the four quarter and the Titans tamed the Lions, 46-25, in Nashville. The Lions’ defense allowed 463 yards as Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and a score.
COVID-19 protocols:
Interim-coach Darrell Bevell and three defensive coaches are out of Saturday’s game due to positive covid tests and contact tracing within the coaching staff. Bevell said that he and the three coaches would be available if the NFL would push the game back until Sunday. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince takes over in Bevell’s absence.
When the Buccaneers Have the Ball:
The Lions’ defense has been abysmal all season in giving up 401.4 yards per game, 30th in the NFL, and 8.1 yards per pass play which is 31st in the league. Bucs quarterback Tom Brady has to be licking his chops at the potential to take control of this game immediately.
Although the Bucs have had trouble with that factor all season. Wide receiver Mike Evans as had 14 receiving plays of over 20 yards while counterpart Chris Godwin checks in with nine. With running back Ronald Jones on the Covid19 list, Leonard Fournette could have success as the Lions have given up an average of 151 yards per game on the ground in their last three games.
When the Lions Have the Ball:
For the Lions to upset the Buccaneers, it is going to have to be from the arm of injured Lions quarterback Matt Stafford as the Buccaneers continue to have the top rushing defense in the NFL in allowing just 77.8 yards per game. Adrian Peterson and DeAndre Swift anchor that Lions rushing attack which just amasses 92 yards per game.
Stafford is probable despite ribs injuries and a thumb issue. The Detroit offensive line has been in flux as well as Stafford has been sacked 37 times and with a pass rush which has continued to get better each week Behind Jason Pierre-Paul, who is having a solid season with 9.5 sacks in a Bucs pass rush that has see linebacker Devin White ascend with consistency. White had 12 tackles with three sacks in last week’s win at Atlanta.
Marvin Jones, Jr., has had a Pro Bowl type season in the Lions passing game as he leads the unit with 779 yards and seven touchdowns. Stafford likes to find tight end T.J. Hockenson as well, so this will occupy a linebacker in coverage as the Lions will hope to talk away some of the aggressiveness of the Buccaneers’s linebackers. The aggressiveness of the Buccaneers’ secondary could spell multiple interceptions as Stafford will have to throw to win.
NFL Betting Predictions
Winner: Buccaneers (-10) 31, Lions 19
Over-Under: Take UNDER 54
