Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions 12/15/19 NFL Betting Odds and Prediction

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday night. These two teams have been eliminated from playoff contention and have nothing to play for this season except pride. However, these two teams are trending in different directions with Tampa Bay winning three straight games and the Lions losing six consecutive assignments. The Bucs are 6-7 SU on the season while the Lions are 3-9-1 on the year.

Three Straight Games

The Bucs have won three straight games and four out of their last five overall heading to this Sunday affair. This stretch includes wins over Arizona, Atlanta, and Jacksonville. In their last game, Tampa Bay’s last game, the Bucs defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-35 and their loss during this period came against the New Orleans Saints.

Jameis Winston threw for 456 passing yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 33 out of 45 passes in their last game against the Colts. Chris Godwin had seven catches for 91 receiving yards and the Bucs outgained the Colts 542 to 309 in total yards gained. Wideout Mike Evans left the game with an injury.

The Buccaneers are 2nd in the league in passing at 298.2 yards per game. They are ranked 24th overall in rushing at 94.6 yards per game. Tampa Bay is 3rd in the league in scoring at 29.1 points per game this season and they are allowing their opponents to score an average of 29.3 points per game.

Six Consecutive Losses

The Detroit Lions have stumbled to finish the season. The Lions have suffered six consecutive losses and they have played without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in their last five games because of hip and back injuries. Backup Jeff Driskel has also missed their last two games with a hamstring injury.

Detroit’s offense struggled in their last loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Kenny Golladay had six catches for 58 yards with one touchdown but the Lions did not score until the final 2:09 of the final quarter. Detroit was outgained 231-354 and had trouble with Minnesota’s defense as they committed two turnovers in the game.

The Lions are 7th in the league in passing at 263.2 yards per game. They are 19th in rushing at 102.8 rushing yards per game and they are 19th in the NFL in scoring at 22.1 points per game this season. The Lions are allowing their opponents to score an average of 25.8 points per game this season.

Who Wins?

Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in their last five games played. The Buccaneers are 4-3 SU in their seven games played on the road. Detroit is 0-6 SU in their last six games played. The Lions are 2-4 SU in their last six games played at home. Head to head, the Lions are 4-1 SU in their last five games played against the Buccaneers. However, Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in their last seven road games against Detroit.

The injury to top wide receiver Mike Evans is a big blow for the Bucs because quarterback Jameis Winston is also hurting with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Evans is the third-best receiver in the league this season while Jameis leads the league in interceptions so that will be a problem.

David Blough has started the last two games for the Lions. He has thrown for three touchdowns but also has three interceptions in those games, both losses. Head coach Matt Patricia’s job may be on the line and the Lions should be ready to help him keep it.

Detroit has not won a game since October 27th but they have been a competitive team. The Lions have lost by eight or fewer points in five of their last six games, all losses. Two of their last three losses have come by four points or less. The Lions are 0-8 SU in their last eight games as underdogs and David Blough isn’t the answer to their problems.

Prediction: Detroit Lions

Place Your Bet Here

Other Bets to Make

The Bucs are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games played. Tampa Bay is 4-3 ATS in seven road games played this season. Detroit is 1-7 ATS in their last eight games played. The Lions are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games played. Detroit is 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played on the road, 1-6 ATS in their last seven games played against the NFC Conference, and 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games played in the NFC South Division. Head to head, the Lions are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played.

Matt Patricia is fighting for his job and I expect the Lions to fight for their head coach. He will have a big shot here with the most turnover-prone QB in the league. Patricia’s specialty is defense and I like their chances here, especially at +3.5 points. Both these teams have issues with injuries and both are out of the playoffs. This could go either way but I will go with Tampa Bay because they have the momentum and the Lions are stumbling right now.

Prediction: Buccaneers -4

Place Your Bet Here

The total has gone over in 10 out of the last 11 games played by the Buccaneers. The over is 5-1 in the last six games played on the road. The total has gone over in eight out of the last 13 games played by the Lions. Detroit has seen the total go over in each of their last five games played at home. Head to head, under is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games played between these two teams.

The Bucs head to this game with their quarterback hurt and their top wide receiver out. Meanwhile, the Lions are starting their third-string quarterback and they will be without their top wide receiver. Detroit has topped 25 points only once during their six-game losing streak and I don’t see them putting a lot of points here. I like these teams to play in a low-scoring contest. Look for the total to hit under.

Prediction: Under 45.5

Place Your Bet Here

Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks 04/19/2023 NBA Odds and Prediction New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers 04/17/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees 04/14/2023 MLB Preview and Prediction OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans 04/12/2023 NBA Play-in Tournament Odds and Prediction