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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions Match Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to Ford Field for a Monday night showdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Tampa Bay enters at 5-1, holding the NFC’s best record after last week’s 30-19 win over San Francisco.
Coach Todd Bowles has the Buccaneers playing disciplined football, but injuries have forced Baker Mayfield to carry the offense. Mayfield has been stellar, throwing for 12 touchdowns and just one interception while leading a unit that ranks near the top of the league in efficiency.
Detroit looks to rebound after a 30-17 defeat to Kansas City ended its four-game winning streak. The Lions have been dominant at home under Dan Campbell, riding a strong offense led by Jared Goff and an opportunistic defense anchored by Aidan Hutchinson.
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Line Movement and Odds
Detroit opened as a 5.5-point home favorite, with Tampa Bay listed at +201 on the moneyline and the Lions at -245. The total is set at 52.5 points. Sharp bettors have targeted Tampa Bay’s spread value, considering their perfect 3-0 road record.
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Matchup Breakdown
Baker Mayfield continues to be one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks, despite missing key playmakers. Mike Evans returned to limited practice this week after a hamstring injury, while Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka remain sidelined. Running back Bucky Irving is also out, but Rachaad White has stepped up, totaling 65 rushing yards and a touchdown last week.
Tampa Bay’s offense ranked top five in scoring and passing in 2024, thanks to Mayfield’s poise under pressure and Bowles’ emphasis on protecting the ball. Defensively, the Buccaneers remain one of the league’s best pass-rushing units, ranking fifth in sacks last year and forcing timely turnovers.
Detroit counters with an offense that averaged over 40 points per game during its recent four-game winning streak. Jared Goff has thrown 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions while completing nearly 76 percent of his passes. With weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams, the Lions can stretch the field and control the pace.
Defensively, Detroit is short-handed. Safety Brian Branch is suspended, and several starting defensive backs, including D.J. Reed and Kerby Joseph, are banged up. Hutchinson, however, remains the difference-maker off the edge, already compiling six sacks and creating matchup nightmares for opposing linemen.
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Key Storylines
The Buccaneers’ biggest question mark remains health. Mayfield has excelled despite missing his top targets, but depth will be tested again against one of the NFC’s most balanced teams. If Evans returns at full speed, Tampa Bay gains a crucial red-zone weapon that could tilt the matchup.
Detroit, on the other hand, aims to prove its loss to Kansas City was a blip. Campbell’s squad hasn’t dropped consecutive games since 2022, and the return of lineman Alim McNeill and tackle Taylor Decker would provide a major boost on both sides of the ball.
Both teams thrive on resilience — Tampa Bay’s opportunistic defense versus Detroit’s precision passing — setting up one of the week’s most intriguing NFC clashes.
Prediction
The Lions’ offense has more balance and fewer injury concerns, but Mayfield’s current form makes the Buccaneers a live underdog. Expect Tampa Bay to keep things close with a gritty defensive performance and efficient red-zone execution.
Projected Score: Detroit Lions 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
Best Bet: Buccaneers +5.5 (-111)
Secondary Lean: Under 52.5 (-107)
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