The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Detroit Lions, Sunday Dec 19, where a Bucs loss can end their playoff hunt. The Bucs won their last meeting 38-20, on the road, in 2008. NFL oddsmakers have the Buccaneers as -6 point home favorites over the Lions while the game's total has been posted at 42.5 points. Be sure to get the latest NFL Point Spreads for your NFL Week 15 Predictions on the Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Odds.
The Lions (3-10) (0-6 V) beat Green Bay 7-3, at home, in Week 14 but will not make the playoffs. QB Drew Stanton made 10 of 22 passes for 117 yards with one TD and two interceptions. RB Maurice Morris had 11 carries for 51 yards and WR Calvin Johnson made one catch for 44 yards. Will Hiller added their lone TD. Their defense made four sacks and two interceptions. The Lions are playing like a team that's got five or six wins right now; and it doesn't look like they've quit or anything like that. It seems like they are all playing hard. With no hope of making the playoffs, they can look to next season with better results. They've got to strengthen their offensive line, and QB Matt Stafford has to stay healthy for the Lions to advance. The Lions are an improved team, close to where they want to be, and just a player or two away. Most people agree that if Stafford hadn't been hurt, Detroit would have had a far better season than it's had. The bottom line is this: The Lions are on the right track. The Lions offense is ranked 17th overall (335ypg) with an 11th ranked pass game (238ypg), and a 27th ranked running game (96ypg). They score the 17th most points per-game (21.9ppg). WR Calvin Johnson leads the Lions offense with 12 TD’s. The Lions face the Bucs 16th ranked defense (339ypg), their 11th ranked pass rush (206ypg) and their 27th ranked rush defense (133ypg). Aqib Talib leads the Bucs defense with six interceptions, but is out with a hip injury. The Bucs defense allows the 13th least amount of points per-game (20.5ppg).
The Buccaneers (8-5) (3-3 H) won in Washington 17-16, in Week 14, and sit third in the NFC South as they fight for a wildcard spot. QB Josh Freeman made 15 of 25 passes for 266 yards with one TD. RB LaGerrette Blount had 15 carries for 68 yards, while WR Arrelious Benn made four catches for 122 yards and TE Kellen Winslow made two catches with a TD. Their defense got two sacks and no interceptions. For the third consecutive week, the Bucs lost two starters for the season — defensive tackle Gerald McCoy tore his left biceps and linebacker Quincy Black broke his arm in Sunday's win at Washington. Both players went on season-ending injured reserve Monday. They join guard Davin Joseph (broken hand) and safety Cody Grimm (broken leg), who were lost Nov. 28 at Baltimore, and cornerback Aqib Talib (torn tendon near hip) and center Jeff Faine (torn triceps). Dominik said Morris and his staff have done a good job preparing new players to step in for injured starters. That process began when the organization allowed practice-squad players to travel with the team. "Some people wonder why we travel practice-squad players," Dominik said. "We travel them and get them prepared so when their day comes up to play in the game, they haven't not been on a road trip, they haven't not slept in a hotel, they've been in the meetings. All that is not new to them." The Bucs offense is ranked 21st (323ypg) with a 22nd ranked pass game (205ypg) and an 11th ranked running game (117ypg). Mike Williams leads their offense with seven TD’s. The Bucs square off against the Lions 18th ranked defense (341ypg), their 13th ranked pass rush (219ypg) and their 22nd ranked rush defense (122ypg). The Lions defense allows the 21st most amount of points per-game (23.8ppg). Alphonso Smith leads the Lions defense with five interceptions.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
- Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Tampa Bay.
- Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
- Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.
- Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 15.
- Buccaneers are 4-0-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
- Buccaneers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Lions are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When: Sun, Dec 19, 1:00 PM ET
Pick: Bucs -6
Point-Spreads.com recommends you get your NFL Picks Week 15 in early!
The Bottom Line: The Bucs are good as gold at home. Be sure to get your NFL Week 15 Predictions on the Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Odds in early.
