NFC Conference Matchup
Point Spread: Lions -6.5 | Total Points: 48.5
Heading into the game, the Buccaneers are the 4th ranked team in the NFC with a record of 9-8. Against other teams in the Conference, they have a mark of 8-5. In the Wild Card Round, the Buccaneers had the Eagles at home. Tampa Bay finished the game with a 32-9 win. Going into the game, the Buccaneers were actually 2.5-point underdogs. This resulted in an ATS win for the Buccaneers. The under hit in the Buccaneers’ most recent game, where the teams’ combined total was 41 points. The line prior to the game stood at 43.
Heading into the game, the Lions are the 3rd ranked team in the NFC with a record of 12-5. Against other teams in the Conference, they have a mark of 9-4. In the most recent game they played, the Lions picked up a win over the Rams by a score of 24-23. The Lions secured the win, but they didn’t cover the spread against the Rams while being favored by 3.5. The under hit in the Lions’ most recent game was as the teams combined for 47 points. The line going into the game was 53.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions History
In the first meeting between the Lions and Buccaneers, the Lions came away with a 20-6 win. Looking at the spread, the Lions were favored by -3 and covered with their 14-point win. Before the game, the over/under line was set at 43 points, resulting an under for the over/under result.
The Buccaneers and Lions did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Buccaneers have a record of 2-1. The Buccaneers also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 44 points per game, leading to an over/under record of 1-2.
Notable Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- SirVocea Dennis – Hamstring (Out)
- Carlton Davis III – Toe (Out)
- Calijah Kancey – Calf (Out)
- Ryan Jensen – Knee (Out)
- Russell Gage – Knee (Out)
Detroit Lions
- Julian Okwara – Arm (Out)
- Shane Zylstra – Knee (Out)
- Jameson Williams – Suspension (Out)
- Nate Sudfeld – Knee (Out)
- Emmanuel Moseley – Knee/hamstring (Out)
- Hendon Hooker – Knee (Out)
- Taylor Decker – Ankle (Out)
- Khalil Dorsey – Illness (Out)
- Josh Paschal – Knee (Out)
Keys To Victory: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay offense is currently ranked 19th in the league, averaging 21.1 points per contest. Production in the passing game has been hard to come by for the Buccaneers, as they are averaging just 228.8 yards per game through the air. However, much of this has to do with a lack of opportunities, as Tampa Bay is just 19th in attempts per contest. When it comes to rushing, the Buccaneers are averaging 3.6 yards per attempt while running the ball an average of 26 times per game. At 90.4 rushing yards per contest, they are 31st in the league.
Keys To Victory: Detroit Lions
With an average of 26.9 points per contest, the Detroit offense currently ranks 5th in the league. The Lions will be led by Jared Goff, who, over 17 games, has completed 67.3% of his passes and currently sits at 2nd among quarterbacks in passing yards. His passer rating stands at 97.9. A key to the team’s offensive success is their effectiveness on the ground. On the season, the Detroit offense is 5th in rush yards per attempt. This figure has led to an average of 132.8 yards per game.
Betting Trends
- In their last ten games away from home, the Buccaneers have a straight-up record of 5-5 while going 8-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 22 points per game in this stretch.
- When looking at their past three home matchups, Detroit has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 20 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Buccaneers have a straight-up record of 5-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 8-2.
- Through their last five games as the favorite, the Lions have an ATS record of 3-2 and a straight-up mark of 4-1.
Prediction
- Detroit Lions 26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
