DETROIT LIONS VS. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 15, 2024

DETROIT LIONS VS. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 15, 2024 — Greetings, football fans. Welcome back to our NFL coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of several games on Sunday’s slate features the Detroit Lions (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Kickoff

When: Sunday, September 15, 2024 @ 1:00 PM ET

Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV: FOX

Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – In-Season Stats & Betting Trends

Although it was far from easy, the Lions escaped with a 26-20 overtime victory against a banged-up Los Angeles Rams squad in the season opener. Detroit coughed up a 17-3 lead in the third quarter and needed a Jake Bates field goal to send the game into an extra frame. Jared Goff completed 18 of 28 passes for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jameson Williams torched the Rams’ defense for 121 yards on five catches. David Montgomery set the tone for the ground game with 91 yards on 17 carries, including the game-winning score in overtime.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Buccaneers were clicking on all cylinders in their 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 1. Baker Mayfield was 24 of 30 for 289 and had a league-high four touchdowns. Mayfield also had the fourth-best QBR and was fourth in the league in passing yards. His go-to target, Chris Godwin, had eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Bucky Irving account for 62 of the team’s 112 rushing yards on nine attempts.

The Lions won the divisional-round matchup between these teams in the playoffs 31-23. Can the home team come out on top again, or will the Buccaneers avenge that postseason loss? Now that we have set the stage for this Week 2 showdown, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

The Spread

Following their overtime win over the Rams in Week 1,  the Lions enter this matchup as a 7.5-point favorite (via OddsShark). Here is a glance at how both teams have recently fared against the spread.

• The Lions have covered the spread seven times in their last eight games.
• Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last seven matchups against NFC opponents.
• In their last five contests against teams in the NFC South division, the Lions are 5-0 against the spread.
• Meanwhile, the Bucs are 6-2 ATS in their last eight outings.
• Tampa Bay is just 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games against Detroit.
• The Buccaneers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against the NFC North division.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5)

Over/Under

The projected over/under total for this matchup is 51.5 points (via OddsShark). Here is why you should go with the “over.”

• The total has gone OVER nine times in the Lions’ last 13 games.
• In Detroit’s last six Week 2 contests, the OVER total prevailed five times.
• The OVER  total is  11-5 in the Lions’ previous 16 September outings.
• The total has gone OVER four times in the Buccaneers’ last five road games.

Prediction: OVER 51.5 points

Player Prop Bet

The key player to watch in this matchup is Amon-Ra St. Brown. He currently has -110 odds of exceeding the 81.5 receiving yards threshold and -110 odds of finishing with less than 81.5 yards (via Bet365). Here’s how his 2023 stats stack up against the projected yards total.

• During the 2023 campaign, St. Brown averaged 94.7 yards per game.
• In one career matchup against the Bucs (2023), St. Brown finished with 12 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown.
• St. Brown faced off against NFC teams 11 times last season. In those contests, he averaged 87.8 yards per outing.
• In seven home games last season, he averaged 105.7 yards in those outings.
• Across his last five outings, St. Brown averaged 86.2 yards per game, exceeding the yards total for this matchup three times during that stretch.

Prediction: Amon-Ra St. Brown OVER 81.5 yards