The final Monday Night Football doubleheader of the season opens with a massive showdown in the NFC between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs enter Week 7 with the best record in the conference and tied for the best mark in the NFL at 5-1. The Lions had their 4-game winning streak snapped by Kansas City on Sunday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on October 20 from Ford Field in Detroit with television coverage provided by ESPN.
Buccaneers at Lions Preview
It’s not like the Bucs have been blowing teams out with five wins in six games and just a +14 point differential. As former NFL coach and player Herm Edwards famously said, “you play to win the game.” After winning their first four games by a combined nine points, the Bucs had a romp last week beating the 49ers, 30-19, behind two TD passes from Baker Mayfield.
Tampa was a 3-point NFL betting odds favorite and covered for a second straight game and for the fourth time in six games this season. Some are hailing Mayfield for MVP due to his comeback ability. He led scoring drives late in the fourth quarter in each of Tampa’s first four wins to lead all QBs in that category. He’s tied for third in the NFL with 12 TD passes and has just one interception.
- Tampa has turned the ball over just twice this year, tied for the fewest in the NFL.
- Mayfield has multiple TD passes in five of six games this season and in 10 of 11 regular season games dating back to last season.
- The Bucs lead the NFL converting 50.9 percent of their third down plays.
- Tampa is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last 7 road games.
Detroit saw its 4-game winning streak end in last week’s 30-17 loss to Kansas City on Sunday Night Football, falling a game behind Tampa for the best record in the NFC. They also failed to cover the spread for the first time in five games. The dynamic offense was held to less than 20 points for only the third time in the last 24 regular season games.
Jared Goff doesn’t get the respect he deserves directing one of the top offensive teams in the NFL. The Lions are one of two teams averaging more than 30 points and they led the league last year averaging 33.2 points. They also ranked among the top 5 in the previous two seasons.
- Between them David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have rushed for 724 yards and 8 TDs.
- Goff has thrown 7 interceptions in four career regular season starts against the Bucs.
- The Lions have won 13 of their last 16 home games.
- Aidan Hutchinson has been a force for the defense recording 6.0 sacks and forcing 4 fumbles.
Buccaneers at Lions Predictions
There’s a lot to unpack in this game. The Lions played without three DB’s last week and watched Patrick Mahomes complete more than 73 percent of his passes with three TDs. Detroit will likely be shorthanded again leaving the door open for Mayfield to hit OVER on some props. At some point Tampa’s luck is going to run out and since the Lions are 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six games following a loss, I’m backing the home team minus the points.
Buccaneers at Lions Betting Tips
- The Lions opened at -5.5 and they’ve won five straight and seven of their last 8 games when playing at home as a favorite of at least 5-points.
- Tampa Bay is +211 on the moneyline with Lions priced at -239.
- The total came out at 52.5, the second-highest on the Week 7 NFL betting line.
- The Bucs have won and covered in all three road games this season and they’ve gone OVER the total in their last four.
- Detroit has won both home games outscoring Chicago and Cleveland 86-31.
Buccaneers at Lions Head to Head and Key Stats
- Tampa’s 20-16 in Week 2 last season avenged a 31-23 playoff loss the season before and snapped a 2-game losing streak in the series.
- The Bucs are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four games in Detroit.
- The UNDER is 5-3 in the last eight matchups.
- In three starts, including one playoff, against Detroit as the Bucs’ QB, Mayfield is 1-2 averaging 246.7 passing yards with 4 TDs and 4 INTs.
