Buccaneers vs. Lions: Predictions, odds, and how to watch NFC divisional round game
In a matchup of former No. 1 overall picks abandoned by the teams that drafted them, Jared Goff and the No. 3 Detroit Lions will host Baker Mayfield and the No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round playoffs.
Both teams overcame serious adversity in their wild card games to end up here now. The Lions were forced to eliminate their long-time quarterback Matthew Stafford, while the Bucs were home underdogs against the Philadelphia Eagles and still managed to pull off a 23-point victory while holding Philly to less than 10 points.
Both Goff and Mayfield had not reached the postseason since 2021 prior to the wild card round. It's been a long time coming for both of these guys to prove they are far more valuable than their previous teams treated them. It's a fight for pride and a ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
Here's how to watch.
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NFC Divisional Rounds: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions predictions
Sportsbook Wire: Under 48.5
Sportsbook Wire notes that the Bucs have gone 6-12 hitting the over this season. While the Lions have gone a much more respectable 11-7, these two teams have already faced each other this year, with the Lions holding Tampa Bay to just six points. While both teams have improved offensively since then, a 23-point increase from their first matchup without any sort of regression on Detroit's end seems unlikely.
BetMGM: Lions (-6.5)
BetMGM's model predicts the Lions will win with 72.5 percent confidence. The model is also very confident that the Lions will cover the spread, giving Detroit a 76.5 percent chance to cover.
FOX Sports: Lions 37, Bucs 34
Greg Auman writes, "I saw the Lions in person twice this year, and they looked really impressive, with matching 20-6 wins against the Bucs and Falcons that could have been even more dominant. So I see the Bucs giving them a great battle in hostile territory, but I'll take the Lionsto advance."
Athlon: Lions 26, Bucs 19
Athlon believes the line will be near perfect for this game, point to Detroit's 2-2 record ATS when playing at home as 6.5-point favorites or greater. The Lions are likely to win this game, but the Bucs (+6.5) could be the correct bet.
NFC Divisional Rounds: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions odds, betting lines
The Detroit Lions are favored to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds, as of Saturday afternoon.
Spread: Lions (-6)
Moneyline: Lions (-275); Buccaneers (+220)
Over/under: 49.5
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How to watch 2024 divisional round playoffs Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
When: Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
Time: 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Cable TV: NBC, Peacock, Universo
Stream Bucs-Lions: Watch the NFL Playoffs with Fubo
NFC divisional round: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions injury report
Detroit Lions Injury Report:
Name | Position | Injury | Status |
James Houston | DE | Ankle | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Tampa Bay |
Sam LaPorta | TE | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Tampa Bay |
Kalif Raymond | WR | Knee | Out for the Divisional Playoffs vs Tampa Bay |
Nate Sudfeld | QB | Knee | Injured Reserve |
Emmanuel Moseley | DB | Knee | Injured Reserve |
James Mitchell | TE | Hand | Injured Reserve |
Jerry Jacobs | CB | Hamstring | Injured Reserve |
Zonovan Knight | RB | Shoulder | Injured Reserve |
Halapoulivaati Vaitai | OG | Back | Injured Reserve |
Matt Nelson | OT | Ankle | Injured Reserve |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report:
Name | Position | Injury | Status |
Shaquil Barrett | LB | Ankle | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Detroit |
John Wolford | QB | Illness | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Detroit |
Chase Edmonds | RB | Toe | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Detroit |
Ryan Jensen | C | Knee | Injured Reserve |
Russell Gage | WR | Knee | Injured Reserve |
Mike Greene | DT | Calf | Injured Reserve |
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Buccaneers-Lions predictions, odds, injury news for divisional round
