Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 19/01/2024, 15:00  by Matthew Newman in NFL Predictions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to the Detroit Lions on Sunday evening as the two divisional winners go head-to-head in the playoffs. The Lions have been a tough team to beat at home, the Packers on Thanksgiving were one of only two teams to win at Ford Field along with the Seattle Seahawks who won in overtime. Last week's win over the Los Angeles Rams was the first time the Detroit Lions have tasted playoff success since 1992. Up 21-10 with less than five minutes left in the first half, they had to hold on after a poor second half to win 24-23. They had touchdowns from both of their excellent running backs in that game, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite the scores, the Lions only rushed for 79 yards in total, a week after just 70 yards picked up against the Minnesota Vikings. For the team who had the 5th most rushing yards in the regular season, that has to be a bit of a worry, especially against a Bucs team that had the 5th best run defence in yards given up. They won in Tampa earlier in the season, Jared Goff having a massive day through the air but the 40 yards gained on the ground was their worst total this campaign.

At home last week, the Bucs completely shut down any offence from the Philadelphia Eagles. They had done the same to the Lions' running backs in Week 6 but gave up plenty of receiving yards. It was the first game after their bye week which did nothing to help the team, the defeat to the Lions the first of six losses in their next seven games. From 4-7 after week 12, they did well to get back into the black and ended up winning their division. That was the worst division in football admittedly but they showed last week that they are not a team to be taken lightly. Baker Mayfield stepped up when needed in the second half. He was intercepted eight times in the opening 12 games of the season but only twice in the last six games. It ended up being the top season in his career in terms of touchdowns thrown and yards which he continued into the playoffs with a 337-yard and three touchdown effort against the Eagles last week. They will be looking for the same this week against what has been a moderate pass defence in Detroit.