The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to extend their unlikely turnaround season when they face the NFC North champion Detroit Lions in a NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday at Ford Field. Through 11 games, Tampa Bay was 4-7. The Buccaneers (10-8) are looking to become the just fourth NFL team ever to reach a conference championship after being three or more games below .500 at any point during the season, joining the 1976 Steelers, 1996 Jaguars and 2002 Titans.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Detroit is a six-point favorite in the latest Lions vs. Buccaneers odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 49.5. Before you make any Buccaneers vs. Lions picks or NFL playoff predictions of your own, you need to see what proven SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say, given his mastery of picks involving the Lions.
White, a Fantasy and gambling editor for CBS Sports, consistently crushes against-the-spread picks and went 535-450-30 on his ATS picks from 2017-22, which returned more than $3,500 to $100 players. He also is 94-75-4 in last 173 NFL picks, returning almost $1,900 for $100 bettors.
Most importantly, White has a read on the pulse of the Lions. He is 34-22-1 (+961) on his last 57 against-the-spread picks in games involving Detroit.
Now, White has locked in on Lions vs. Buccaneers from every angle and just locked in his picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Buccaneers vs. Lions:
- Lions vs. Buccaneers spread: Detroit -6
- Lions vs. Buccaneers over/under: 49.5 points
- Lions vs. Buccaneers money line: Detroit -273, Tampa Bay +222
- DET: Lions ranked second in passing offense (258.9 yards per game)
- TB: WR Mike Evans tied for first in receiving touchdowns (13)
- Lions vs. Buccaneers: See picks at SportsLine
- Lions vs. Buccaneers live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why the Lions can cover
Amon-ra St. Brown has been one of the best receivers in the league this season. During the regular season, the third-year wideout from USC tied for second in the NFL in receptions (119) while finishing third in receiving yards (1,515) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (10). For his efforts this year he was named a first team All-Pro.
In addition, Detroit has a defense to slow the Tampa Bay running game. The Lions ranked second in the league during the regular season in rush defense (88.8 rushing yards per game allowed). They also held opposing running backs to 3.5 yards per carry; just two defenses gave up fewer. See which team to back here.
Why the Buccaneers can cover
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is having one of the best seasons of his career. The former No. 1 overall pick set career-highs in passing yards (4,044) and passing touchdowns (28) during the regular season. He also has thrown at least two passing touchdowns in five of his last six games, including the playoffs.
Mayfield has the luxury of throwing to one of the best receivers in the league in Mike Evans. The 30-year-old wideout is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions (13) and ranked ninth in receiving yards (1,255). For his efforts this season he earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection in 10 years in the league. See which team to pick here.
How to make Lions vs. Buccaneers picks
White has analyzed Buccaneers vs. Lions and while we can tell you he's leaning Under on the point total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's sharing what it is, and which side to back, only at SportsLine.
Who wins Buccaneers vs. Lions in the 2024 NFL playoffs, and which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Buccaneers vs. Lions spread hits hard, all from the expert who is 34-22 on against-the-spread picks involving Detroit, and find out.