Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions – Picks & Predictions
The divisional round action this Sunday will open with a meeting between the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-8) and the NFC North champion Detroit Lions (13-5). Betting markets will be available at all online sportsbooks, including moneylines, spreads, totals, player and team props, and various parlay options. Bettors can also claim their share of NFL betting promos all postseason long.
Head-to-Head: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
These teams met during this past regular season – in October, when the Lions won 20-6 in Tampa, never letting the game get more interesting than the box score would indicate. Jared Goff completed 30 of 44 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns, while Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 37 passes for only 206 yards and an interception. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the story of the day with 12 catches for 124 yards and a score, foreshadowing a season that he finished with a stellar 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Of course, the Buccaneers have more than St. Brown to fear from the Lions’ offense, which finished the season ranked third in yards (391.4) and fifth in points (26.9) per game. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta quickly established himself in the NFL, finishing the season ranked fifth at his position in receiving yards (889) and leading all tight ends with 10 touchdowns. Put together, the backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery contributed 1,960 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on 401 carries.
The Buccaneers bring threats of their own, beginning with Mike Evans – who co-led receivers with 13 touchdowns while also finishing with 1,255 yards on 79 catches – but their defense against the Lions’ offense remains the more compelling matchup of the game. Their defense has allowed only 18.6 points per game all season, and only 10.9 per game against their last three opponents. After shutting out the Panthers to close the regular season, the Buccaneers’ defense showed up in a big way in their 32-9 wildcard win over the Eagles.
These teams have played 12 times since 2002, when the NFL entered its current division format and the Lions and Buccaneers ceased meeting twice per season as rivals. The series is split 6-6 over those 12 games, with the Buccaneers winning 4 of their 6 games in Detroit. The Bucs’ last two visits to Ford Field both ended in victories – they won 38-17 in 2019 and 47-7 in 2020.
How to Bet on Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
Betting markets for the Bucs and Lions will be available across NFL betting sites. Make sure to browse the available betting operators in your state to find the best odds for the bets you want to make, as well as any unique props or sportsbook promotions offered.
Additionally, be sure to check the injury report for up-to-date information about player availability before finalizing any bets. Player health is one of the biggest variables in the outcomes of games, and the report is a convenient public resource for bettors in need of accurate information regarding whether players are suiting up or playing in a reduced capacity.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions Odds
- Money Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +235, Detroit Lions -290
- Spread: Lions -6.5
- Total: o/u 48.5
Betting Tips for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
- The Bucs have scored last in 13 of their last 18 games.
- The Bucs have hit the 2H moneyline in 6 of their last 9 away games.
- The Lions have hit the 3Q Game Total Over in 9 of their last 10 games.
- The Over is 7-3 in the Lions’ last 10 games.
- The Under is 4-0 in the Bucs’ last 4 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions Predictions
Both of these teams obviously won in the wildcard round, but it’s notable that the Lions scraped by the Rams while the Buccaneers’ victory over the Eagles was scarcely in doubt. Believers in momentum will believe the Bucs have more of it, and several key pieces of this Bucs team were around for their past two wins in Detroit.
Neither of those points justify betting the house on Tampa to advance, but anything’s possible in the playoffs. It’s a week-by-week league and both teams have shown enough on recent tape for bettors to believe they can win on Sunday. The Lions are worth their edge as a favorite beyond just their privilege as the home team, but this should be a close game if both teams show up.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +6.5
Andy is our resident NFL expert, but his knowledge extends to all corners of the sports betting industry. Andy is always tracking betting trends and keeping you up to date on all the relevant news in your home state.