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Detroit Lions predictions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Challenging road test ahead

dave birkett, carlos monarrez, shawn windsor and jeff seidel, detroit free press
·2 min read
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Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the Detroit Lions' game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25 p.m., FOX):

Dave Birkett

The Lions are looking for their fourth straight double-digit win Sunday, something they have not accomplished since 1991. They should be playing in a favorable road environment, but the Bucs are a difficult matchup. Tampa has an above-average defense that has done a good job forcing turnovers so far this year — they’re fifth in the NFL with 10 — and Mayfield has done a good job coloring within the lines of their offense. If the Lions can get an early touchdown or two, the Bucs don’t have the offense to keep up. That might be a tough ask with Tampa coming off a bye, but even if it doesn’t happen, the Lions have the better overall roster and should be able to pull away late. The pick: Lions 24, Buccaneers 21.

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) and running back David Montgomery (5) celebrate after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during first-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) and running back David Montgomery (5) celebrate after a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during first-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.

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Carlos Monarrez

Finally, a test for the Lions against a good team on the road. Baker Mayfield’s Bucs are 3-1, coming off a bye, and feel disrespected as underdogs at home. After the Lions deliver a beatdown, the Bucs will respect the disrespect. The pick: Lions 31, Buccaneers 22.

Shawn Windsor

Baker Mayfield is playing solid ball again. The Bucs' defense is among the better units in the NFL. And there is talent on the team. But Jared Goff and the offense welcome the return of Amon-Ra St. Brown. The gifted receiver makes the difference on the game-winning drive as the Lions win their first fourth-quarter game since beating Kansas City in the opener. The pick: Lions 27, Buccaneers 23.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) catches a pass in front of Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson (23) during second-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) catches a pass in front of Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson (23) during second-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.

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Jeff Seidel

The Lions’ recent history — and by that I mean, the last half century or so — has me wondering: When will it all crash for the Lions? At some point, right? Isn’t that what they do? But this is a new team: Creative, disciplined and diverse. This is a new roster — far deeper. And this is a new time. Ben Johnson will pull out just enough creativity to beat the Buccaneers. The pick: Lions 31, Buccaneers 27.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Challenging road test ahead