The Detroit Lions have ZERO wiggle room in the NFC playoff race. Their Week 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium is a must-win given that they are 6-6 and two games out of the NFC wild-card position. On the road, Detroit is 4-2 straight up and 3-2-1 against the spread while Tampa Bay is 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS at home. Will the Lions snap a two-game losing skid that has now jeopardized their once realistic postseason hopes?
Betting Preview for the Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Week 14 Game on December 10 2017
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Sunday, December 10, 1:00 PM EST
Line: Detroit Lions (0) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers(0) – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: Fox
Betting on the Detroit Lions (6-6)
Any chance the Lions have of having a successful season hinges on the healthy of Matthew Stafford. He has an injured hand and left the loss against Baltimore early.
That gave Jake Rudock his first taste of real game action and the results were predictable. He threw a pick and did not inspire much confidence.
Stafford is as valuable to the Lions as any of the top QBs are to their teams and if he can’t get they might as well write off the season. Rudock was not the only one seeing action for the first time against the Ravens. RB Tion Green rushed for 51 yards are on 11 carries. A solid debut for an unheralded player.
The receivers are not good enough on their own to help the offense without Stafford. The Lions are in a tough spot. The defense just gave up 44 points to an anemic Ravens offense and has been sliding for the last few weeks. A little more consistency and they might be in a much better position overall. There is not much hope they will steal this one.
They are opportunistic in taking the ball away though and Tampa makes more than its share of mistakes. That might be the only way they get this one if Stafford is out. I can see the Lions dialing up the pressure in this matchup. You want to force Jameis to be uncomfortable and it is not like the Lions have a lot of natural rushers that will will one on one matchups. Anthony Zettel leads in sacks with 6.5. Don’t be sad if you didn’t know that, I had to look it up.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4-8)
I suppose the Bucs could have known it was not going to be the season they planned when the first game was postponed due to the hurricane. They might have won the week after easily against Chicago but since there have been few highlights.
Statistically it looks like Winston has taken a step forward but it is hard to evaluate amidst the losing. Garbage time numbers count just the same towards the quarterback rating. Last week was his first game back after missing three. The running game is non-existent even with Doug Martin back in the fold. What was supposed to provide balance has held the team back.
Mike Evans will probably get his 1000 yards but he has also been down this season. Where are all the high degree of difficulty plays and touchdowns. The Tampa defense is not very good. Even though the Packers do not pose much of a passing threat they still gave up over 100 yards on the ground to Jamal Williams last week. Gerald McCoy looks like one of those players who everyone knows is really good but never puts up the numbers to prove it.
Writer’s Prediction
There will be no line for this one until we know more about the status of Matthew Stafford. I am going to assume that Stafford plays and is not overly influenced by the injury. He may have to throw a lot but that is the best way for them to win. This one will come down to the fact that Detroit will make fewer mistakes. That will enable them to win the game and stay in the race for the playoffs. Pick: Detroit Lions
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