Buccaneers vs Lions Odds: Detroit Decent Favorites at Home
Bucs Off Dominating Effort Against Eagles
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-8) visit the Detroit Lions (13-5) on a short week after easily handling Philadelphia 32-9 on Monday. The Lions held off the Rams 24-23 on Sunday and waited to see who its opponent would be. The Buccaneers vs Lions odds have Detroit favored by 6 points, and the total on the game is at 48.5 points. Detroit is -265 on the moneyline. The price on Tampa Bay is +215.
Buccaneers vs Lions 
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Day/Time:
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Bucs Run the Ball When it Counts
Tampa Bay’s most significant weakness on offense all season long was its running game. The Buccaneers came into the game with Philadelphia averaging 88.8 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry. But Tampa Bay’s offensive line came up big against the Eagles. The Bucs ran the ball 29 times for 119 yards. That allowed Tampa Bay to possess the ball for 34 minutes and keep the Eagles’ offense on the bench. Tampa Bay didn’t have a run longer than 12 yards, so it wasn’t one big 60-yard run padding the stats. Instead, the Bucs had a lot of four- and five-yard runs.
The passing game was solid against the Eagles and has been the strength of the offense. Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield aren’t pretty. But they’re effective more often than not. The Bucs gain 6.7 yards per pass attempt against teams, allowing 6.5 yards, so Mayfield gets the job done. Tampa Bay doesn’t turn the ball over much. Counting the Eagles game, Mayfield has 31 TD passes against 10 interceptions.
On defense, the Bucs are solid against the run. But you can throw against them with some success. Tampa Bay allows nearly 250 passing yards per game and 6.9 yards per pass attempt. That could spell trouble against Jared Goff and the Detroit passing game. But the Bucs did a decent job allowing yards, but not many points. Tampa Bay allowed 19.1 points per game in the regular season against teams who 21.9 points.
The Buccaneers vs Lions odds have Tampa Bay in its preferred underdog role. The Bucs are now 6-6 straight-up and 9-3 against the spread as an underdog. Tampa Bay was 3-3 ATS as a favorite this season. The Bucs are now 6-12 in totals for the season after going under against the Eagles. Tampa Bay’s big win didn’t do much for the team’s Super Bowl odds. The Bucs, Green Bay, and Houston are all tied for the highest odds at +2800.
Detroit Host Second Playoff Game For First Time
The Detroit Lions are home for a second straight playoff game for the first time in team history. The Lions ended a 32-year playoff drought by beating the Rams. They’re hoping the home fans won’t have to wait more than a week for its next win. Detroit got a huge break in the NFL divisional round schedule when Green Bay upset Dallas. That allowed the Lions to stay home, where they are now 7-2. The Lions are 5-4 ATS at home and 6-3 in totals. Detroit has fared well as a favorite, going 12-3 straight-up and 10-5 against the spread.
The Lions enter the game averaging 26.9 points on offense. Detroit can run or pass, with Goff throwing for 4,575 during the season. The Lions average 132 yards on the ground with the 1-2 punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Combined, the two rushed for 1,960 yards and 23 touchdowns. They lost a combined two fumbles in 401 carries.
Detroit’s defense is pretty average. The Lions are tough to run against, allowing just 87.6 yards per game. That’s second-best in the NFL, while the Lions were third in yards per rush allowed at 3.7 yards per carry. The Lions are No. 30 in pass defense, allowing 253 yards per game. So, if you’re going to beat Detroit, it will most likely be through the air.
Conflicting Trends in Game
Tampa was nearly an ATM machine on the road this season. The Buccaneers were 8-1 against the point spread and 7-1 as an away underdog. The NFL scores show Tampa Bay was 4-5 in away totals compared to 2-7 at home. In road games, the Buccaneers scored 23 points per game and allowed 20.9. Tampa Bay was 0-3 straight-up, but 2-1 ATS when an underdog of six or more points this year. All three games landed under the total.
The Buccaneers vs Lions odds also have the Lions in several favorable categories. Detroit was 4-0 straight-up and against the spread when playing the NFC South this season. That includes a 20-6 victory at Tampa Bay, where the Bucs were held to 251 total yards. The Lions are 3-1 straight-up and 2-2 against the spread when favored by six or more points this season. Detroit was 3-1 in totals in those four games.
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