Sometimes you shouldn’t bet NFL games until right before kickoff when you can get the most up-to-date injury information. That’s likely going to be the case for Sunday’s Lions-Bucs matchup as there’s no NFL betting spread yet due to a key player. Be sure to check out the latest NFL Week 14 odds for this game around gametime.
The Tampa defense is struggling compared to this time in 2016. In their final eight games last year, when they went 6-2, the defense had 21 sacks and 13 interceptions. In the past eight games they played in, they have 13 sacks — and that includes the six they had on New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown in Week 10 — and four interceptions.
Overall this season, the Bucs have allowed 95 explosive plays (rushing plays of 12 or more yards and pass plays of 16 or more) on defense, third most in the league. That averages out to about 7.92 per game. Last year, Tampa surrendered just 34.4 percent of third downs, the best in the NFL. This year: 48.5 percent, the worst in the league.
Tampa Bay’s 26 wins against the Lions (27 if one counts the 1997 playoff victory that closed Tampa Stadium) are its most against any team. Overall, Detroit leads the series, 30-26, and has a 14-13 edge in games played in Tampa.
Detroit at Tampa Bay Week 14 Odds & NFL Betting Pick
When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa TV: Fox Radio: 760 AM WJR (Detroit) / WDAE 620 AM (Tampa Bay) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Betting Lines: TBAScouting the competition. 🔎: https://t.co/S4Fsw4pwRP pic.twitter.com/WLqhd7DudE
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 7, 2017
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 16°C/60°F
- Humidity: 51%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Wind: 10 mph NNW
- Cloud Cover: 5%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Last Meeting
This will be the Lions’ first look at Jameis Winston as the Bucs’ QB was still at Florida State the last time these teams played. That was Week 14 of the 2014 season in Detroit, a 34-17 Lions win. Matthew Stafford threw for 311 yards and three scores. More on him shortly. Mike Evans caught two touchdown passes for the Bucs, but quarterback Josh McCown was under pressure all day, and Tampa Bay managed only 26 yards rushing. That loss went part of the way toward helping the Bucs get the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft and take Winston.Why Bet on Detroit?
The reason there’s no line on this game yet is because oddsmakers aren’t sure if Stafford is going to play for the Lions. Stafford bruised his throwing hand during the second half of Detroit’s 44-20 loss to the Ravens. If Stafford does miss the game, it would be somewhat surprising because he hasn’t missed a game since 2010. Jake Rudock would start for the Lions if Stafford can’t play. Stafford’s hand isn’t broken but he might have some nerve damage in there. Last year, he injured a finger on his throwing hand in Week 14 and wasn’t the same QB the rest of the way. Stafford’s injury has been a focal point for the Lions this week and it’s also something the Buccaneers are keeping an eye on. Coach Dirk Koetter was asked on Wednesday about whether the injury was changing the team’s preparation at all: “We try to find a way to get a hold of that hand,” Koetter said. Hey, at least he’s being honest. As of Wednesday, Stafford was limited in practice this week. It’s the first time he didn’t practice fully in the regular season since Sept. 27, 2012. He has made 108 straight starts. If Stafford does play, there are questions about what kind of protection he’ll get because his offensive line is banged up too. Rick Wagner did not practice Wednesday with an ankle injury, while T.J. Lang sat with a foot injury. Travis Swanson did not play Sunday with a knee injury, and was listed as limited on Wednesday. Tampa is just 3-8-1 ATS on the year, which is the worst mark in the NFC. The Lions have won three of four in this series and haven’t lost in Tampa since 2005.Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 26.17
- Total Yards: 337.08
- Pass Yards: 258.83
- Rush Yards: 78.25
- Average Score Against: 25.67
- Total Yards: 360.34
- Pass Yards: 245.42
- Rush Yards: 114.92
Why Bet on Tampa Bay?
The Bucs have nothing to play for at this point, so they can throw caution to the wind. Tampa comes off a 26-20 overtime loss in Green Bay. Winston threw two touchdown passes to Cameron Brate in the quarterback’s shaky return from a shoulder injury that cost him three games. But the defense couldn’t hold up in overtime for the last-place Buccaneers. Peyton Barber had 102 yards for 23 carries. Winston finished 21 of 32 for 270 yards, including an 11-yard pass to Brate for a 20-17 lead with 6:02 left. Koetter said Wednesday that running back Doug Martin and defensive end Robert Ayers are both still in the concussion protocol, although both practiced in full. They still have to be cleared by an independent neurologist. Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has missed three weeks with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected to play.
The Tampa defense is struggling compared to this time in 2016. In their final eight games last year, when they went 6-2, the defense had 21 sacks and 13 interceptions. In the past eight games they played in, they have 13 sacks — and that includes the six they had on New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown in Week 10 — and four interceptions.
Overall this season, the Bucs have allowed 95 explosive plays (rushing plays of 12 or more yards and pass plays of 16 or more) on defense, third most in the league. That averages out to about 7.92 per game. Last year, Tampa surrendered just 34.4 percent of third downs, the best in the NFL. This year: 48.5 percent, the worst in the league.
Tampa Bay’s 26 wins against the Lions (27 if one counts the 1997 playoff victory that closed Tampa Stadium) are its most against any team. Overall, Detroit leads the series, 30-26, and has a 14-13 edge in games played in Tampa.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 20.25
- Total Yards: 349.67
- Pass Yards: 261.75
- Rush Yards: 87.92
- Average Score Against: 24
- Total Yards: 385.58
- Pass Yards: 267.33
- Rush Yards: 118.25
Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Detroit is 2-5-1 ATS in the last 8 games
- Detroit is 4-2 SU in the last 6 games on the road
- The total went OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games
- Tampa Bay is 2-8-1 ATS in the last 11 games
- Tampa Bay is 2-7 SU in the last 9 games
- The total went UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games at home
