Lions vs Buccaneers Odds: First-Place Teams Meet in Tampa
Detroit Small Favorites on the Road
Two NFL teams sitting on top of their division standings will meet in Tampa on Sunday. The Detroit Lions (4-1) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) in a late Sunday afternoon game. The Lions were favored to win the NFC North, so it’s no surprise to see Detroit leading the division.
The Buccaneers were expected to be pretty bad, so it’s a bit of a surprise for Tampa Bay to be in first place. But it’s still early in the season, and the NFL standings can change. The Lions vs Buccaneers odds have Detroit favored by 3 (-125), and the total is 44. The price on the Bucs is +105.
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Day/Time:Sunday, October 15, 4:25 p.m. ET
Line: Detroit -3 (-125) | Total: 44
Streaming: FOX
Lions Mowing Down the Opposition
The Detroit Lions have been impressive lately, winning their last three football games by at least 14 points and covering the point spread each game. The Lions are averaging 29.6 points per game and allowing 21.4, so the offense is carrying the team a little bit. But the defense isn’t hampering their efforts, either.
Detroit likes the run the football, and the Lions are gaining 141 yards per game, which helps the team average a little more than 33 minutes of possession each game. The passing game isn’t bad, averaging 243.4 yards per game. The dual threat of the Lions’ offense has helped it succeed in the early going. It doesn’t hurt that the Lions haven’t played the most difficult of NFL schedules, with Jeff Sagarin ranking Detroit’s schedule No. 20.
Defensively, Detroit has been tough against the run, allowing just 68.4 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. The Lions have been a bit more average against the pass. But the Lions are holding teams to fewer points than they average, which is the sign of a decent defense.
Buccaneers Coming Off Bye
Tampa Bay had an early bye week and brings a 3-1 record into the game that has seen the team cover the spread in all three victories. The Bucs have been dealing with the typical NFL injuries, but are hoping the bye week will see most of them return to the field.
Mike Evans did practice lightly on Monday. The Bucs are averaging 21 points per game against teams allowing 23, so they’ve been slightly worse than average. But Tampa Bay isn’t designed to be a high-powered offense and is doing what it needs to do to wins some football games.
The Buccaneer running game hasn’t been too effective, which isn’t a good sign against Detroit’s defense. Instead, the Bucs are using shorter, high-percentage passes to complement the rushing attack. The Bucs complete 69% of their passes for 214.5 yards per game. Tampa Bay is averaging 6.8 yards per pass, which is a little better than its foes allow on the NFL season.
Defensively, Tampa Bay has played well, allowing 17 points per game to teams that average 23.1 points. The Bucs have been helped by takeaways, with Tampa Bay being +7 in turnovers for the season. But that’s something that can’t be counted on to happen consistently. The Bucs allow 94.8 yards on the ground and 223.8 through the air.
What to Expect
The NFL odds this week suggest a close, slightly lower-scoring game than what the Lions have become accustomed to over the past few weeks. Detroit has scored 76 points in the last two weeks, but Tampa Bay’s defense isn’t all that bad.
The Lions have been using a good mixture of running and passing, and there’s no need to change that up now. The Bucs don’t excel against one or the other defensively.
Tampa Bay should come out with the mindset of throwing a bit more than usual, especially on first down. Being put into 2nd-and-8 situations all game isn’t ideal for the Bucs and Baker Mayfield. Tampa Bay completes a high enough percentage of its passes to put a little more emphasis on the passing game against Detroit’s run defense.
Who to Bet On?
The Lions vs Buccaneers odds of Detroit -3 (-125) are pretty much what you expected on this game. The sportsbook is reluctant to move the line to Detroit -3.5, which is why the juice on the Lions is up to -125.
The Lions vs Buccaneers odds on the total is a bit more interesting. It’s a low total for Detroit, but a high total for Tampa Bay. The Bucs haven’t had any games with more than 44 points this season. Detroit has played three games with at least 54 points already.
Strictly from a value standpoint, the Bucs +3 at +105 makes a little bit of sense. The Bucs are capable of playing anybody tough and the Lions still have to show they can win as a road favorite on a consistent basis. Take Tampa Bay +3 in this one.
For NFL records, NFL scores, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
