Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Preview

Ford Field is the scene for a mouthwatering Monday night showdown between the surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the bruised but dangerous Detroit Lions. This NFC clash pits two playoff hopefuls that experienced contrasting Week 6 fortunes. The Bucs won their second in a row with a spectacular 30-19 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers, while the Lions saw their four-game streak ended by the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-17 humbling at Arrowhead. The Bucs have the momentum, but Detroit’s unbeaten home record and physical edge could prove decisive under the primetime spotlight.

Tip 1: Detroit Lions -5.5 @ 9/10 with Paddy Power

The first red flag for Bucs backers should be the injury curse that looks set to keep four starting-calibre Tampa Bay wide receivers out of Monday night’s game. Mike Evans is still struggling with a hamstring injury, Chris Godwin looks set to miss out with a niggling ankle problem and Jalen McMillan is unlikely to play until Week 13 because of a severely sprained neck. And now rookie revelation Emeka Egbuka has been added to the casualty list with the hamstring injury he sustained in last week’s win over the Niners. Egbuka had contributed 27 receptions for 469 yards and five touchdowns through the first six weeks and his absence leaves Baker Mayfield short of playmaking options. It also looks like Tampa Bay will be without their lead rusher Bucky Irving again, although Rachaad White and Sean Tucker did a solid job between them against San Francisco and each made it into the end zone. 

However, the Bucs’ capacity to keep pace with a spectacular Detroit offence is severely diminished. The Lions are averaging 43 points per game at home and have covered the spread in five of their last six at Ford Field. Jared Goff has been surgical in front of the home crowd, throwing nine touchdowns to just one interception.Tampa Bay’s defence has been opportunistic, but they’ve yet to face an offence as balanced as Detroit’s. The Bucs have allowed over 350 total yards in both of their last two games and could struggle to contain the Lions’ two-headed backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. With the Lions boasting a top-five red zone conversion rate and a defence that thrives on third down, backing them to win by at least a touchdown looks a strong play.

Tip 2: Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 70+ Receiving Yards @ 7/10 with BetMGM

Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown has cleared 70 receiving yards in four of six games this season and remains Goff’s go-to target on key downs. He’s averaging 8.5 targets per game and 92.5 receiving yards per home game this year. Tampa Bay’s defence has the fourth-highest blitz rate in the league and that has encouraged  opponents to attack them with quick throws to the slot or wide outside against single man coverage.

Goff can get the ball out of his hands quickly and should target Brown, who is Detroit’s lead slot receiver, plenty.  Wide receivers have been torching the Bucs this season with Kendrick Bourne racking up 142 yards receiving last week, Jaxon Smith-Njigba gaining 132 yards the week before, Garrett Wilson breaking out for 84 yards in the Jets game, and Cooper Kupp also recording 59 yards on nine targets. 

Tip 3: Rachaad White Anytime TD Scorer @ 20/21 with CopyBet

If the Bucs are to keep pace, they’ll need a big night from White. The running back has scored in back-to-back games and has seen his number of touches explode in recent weeks, averaging 18.5 touches across Tampa Bay’s last two wins. While Detroit’s run defence is stout, White’s versatility as a pass-catcher gives him added value in the red zone.

The Lions have allowed four receiving touchdowns to running backs this season – tied for most in the league. With Baker Mayfield under pressure to keep drives alive, White’s ability to slip out of the backfield could be Tampa’s best weapon near the goal line.