Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs
Detroit LionsPredictions & Preview

Lions vs Buccaneers Rematch: Detroit Favored to Win by 7.5 Points in Highly Anticipated NFL Game at Ford Field

The upcoming NFL game on Sunday between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a highly anticipated rematch from last year's playoffs. Both teams have commenced the season with a strong 1-0 record and are aiming to secure the division championship once again. The game will take place at Ford Field at 1:00 p.m. EST, with Detroit being the favorite by 7.5 points, with the total set at 51.5 points. Initially, Detroit opened as the betting favorite at -6.5 points, but the current line stands at Detroit -7.5.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Buccaneers +285 | Lions -357
• Spread: Buccaneers +7.5 (-110) | Lions -7.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 51.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Detroit will win straight-up is 78%.

Tampa Bay vs Detroit Stats

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay secured their first win of the season with an impressive 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders. Baker Mayfield had a stellar performance, completing 24 out of 30 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. The ground game was led by Bucky Irving with 62 yards on nine carries, while Chris Godwin led the receivers with eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mike Evans caught two touchdown passes and Jalen McMillan had a 32-yard TD reception. Defensively, Jordan Whitehead had a strong game with four tackles and four tackle assists, while SirVocea Dennis and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka each recorded a sack.

In the 2023 season, Tampa Bay ranked 23rd in yards per game on offense, with 17th in passing yards and last in rushing yards. Baker Mayfield had over 4,000 passing yards with a 64.3% completion rate, Rachaad White led the rushing attack, and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin had over 1,000 receiving yards each. Despite giving up a lot of yards on defense, Tampa Bay had the 7th best scoring defense in the league. Lavonte David led the team in tackles, Yaya Diaby had the most sacks, and Antoine Winfield Jr. led in interceptions and passes defended.

Currently ranked 8th in power rankings, Tampa Bay has a strong offense and defense, allowing an average of points to be scored against them per game. They are currently 1-0 this season.

Detroit Lions Analysis

The Detroit Lions secured a hard-fought victory against the LA Rams, winning 26-20 in overtime. Jared Goff had a decent but not exceptional performance, while David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs made significant contributions in the backfield. Jameson Williams stood out in the receiving core. The Lions had an impressive offensive performance last season, ranking highly in yards per game, passing yards, rushing yards, and points scored. On defense, they were strong against the run but struggled with passing defense. Alex Anzalone and Aidan Hutchinson were key players on defense, while Kerby Joseph made a crucial interception. The Lions are currently ranked 7th in power rankings with a strong offense and defense. Tampa Bay has a winning record in recent matchups against Detroit.

Detroit Lions Expected to Outlast Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Close Matchup

It is my professional opinion that Detroit is the superior team in this matchup. However, I am optimistic about the Buccaneers' ability to keep the game close and within one score by the end of the day. Detroit narrowly defeated the Rams in overtime, while the Buccaneers have shown strength on defense. Despite concerns about the Buccaneers' running game and their ability to maintain a lead, the Lions have displayed resilience in coming back strong. I anticipate the Lions will take an early lead, forcing the Buccaneers to rely heavily on their passing game to catch up. Given the history of similar matchups, including last year's playoff game where the Lions won by eight points despite being favored by six, I predict a similar outcome with the Lions winning by 6-7 points, allowing the Bucs to cover the spread.

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