Buccaneers vs Lions Picks & Predictions (NFL Week 16)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will battle the Detroit Lions in this NFC South vs NFC North showdown. The Bucs have won two games in a row and they will look to stay in the NFC North Division race. The Lions can’t make the playoffs and they will try to spoil Tampa Bay’s playoff positioning. Who will win this game? Read our Buccaneers vs Lions picks, find the best odds, lines, free bets, and legal US Sportsbooks where to place your bets!
When is Tampa Bay vs Detroit?
Date: Saturday, Dec. 26
Location: Ford Field – Detroit, Michigan
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Coverage: NBC, NFL Network
Buccaneers vs Lions Odds & Spreads
Moneyline: TB: (-400) I DET: (+355)
Spread: TB: -9 (-110) I DET: +9.5 (-105)
Total: Over: 54 (-105) I Under: 54 (-105)
Betting Preview
Tampa Bay is second in the NFC South Division, 9-5 overall, and 7-7 ATS. The Bucs are ranked 12th in the NFL Power Rankings and even when they look out of a game, Tom Brady still finds a way to get the victory. Their offense is above average in the passing game, but one of the worst rushing teams in the league. They score around 29 points per game. The Bucs have the best rushing defense, but rank towards the bottom in passing defense. They give up around 23 points per game. After going through a 1-3 stretch, the Buccaneers have won their last two games in very different ways.
Last week, they beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-27. Tampa Bay was down 17-0 at halftime and they pulled off the comeback. Brady went 31 of 45, for 390 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The receiving core was productive and the rushing defense was solid.
Detroit is last in the NFC North Division, 5-9 overall, and 6-8 ATS. The Lions are ranked 29th in the NFL Power Rankings and Matthew Stafford is giving his team his best effort, and they need to fix that defense up. The offense is average in the passing game and the second worst in rushing. They score around 24 points per game. The defense is below average in a lot of key areas and they rank last in total points given up. They give up around 31 points per game. This team has dropped two games in a row and the offense has been there, but the defense has let some close games get away from them.
Last week, they lost to the Tennessee Titans 46-25. The Lions hung around for three quarters, but then the Titans ran away with the game in the fourth quarter. Stafford went 22 of 32, for 252 yards, and 1 touchdown. The difference in the game was 3 Detroit turnovers and the defense not coming through on a lot of third down plays.
Head to Head
This will be the 60th all-time meeting between the Buccaneers and Lions. Detroit leads the series with a 31-28 record. In the last ten games, the series is tied at five games apiece and the Lions are 7-3 ATS. The over/under is 5-4-1. Tampa Bay scores around 23 points per game and Detroit is at 22. The Lions have the edge in rushing yards. The Bucs have the edge in completion percentage, passing, and total yards. Detroit is 4-2 in the last six games against Tampa Bay.
Our Buccaneers vs Lions Picks & Predictions
The Bucs will try to have a better first half than they did in last week’s game. The Lions defense will struggle against the passing game, but at least Stafford can match Brady’s production. He might not have the same elite receivers as Brady does, but he finds a way to keep his team in it. Tampa’s defense also struggles against the passing game. So, this will be a good game to bet the over on. Tampa Bay is still in the division race and they will try to keep playing disciplined football. The Bucs win 34-24 and barely cover the spread.
