NFC Divisional Round: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions odds, picks and predictions

Cameron DaSilva | Staff Writer

The Divisional Round of the playoffs features an NFC battle between the 4th-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-8) and the 3rd-seeded Detroit Lions (13-5) Sunday. Kickoff from Ford Field is set for 3 p.m. ET (NBC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Buccaneers vs. Lions odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Buccaneers steamrolled the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round on Monday night, winning at home, 32-9, as 3-point underdogs. It was their 6th win in their last 7 games and 2nd straight after also beating the Carolina Panthers, 9-0, in the regular-season finale.

The Lions barely snuck by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1st round, winning a narrow 24-23 game at home. They failed to cover the spread as 3-point favorites but will get the chance to host another playoff game thanks to the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round.

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Buccaneers at Lions odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Buccaneers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Lions -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Buccaneers +6 (-110) | Lions -6 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Buccaneers at Lions key injuries

Buccaneers

LB Shaquil Barrett (ankle) questionable

Lions

LB Alex Anzalone (shoulder) probable
DB Brian Branch (knee) probable
S Kerby Joseph (knee) probable
TE Sam LaPorta (knee) questionable
C Frank Ragnow (knee/back/toe) probable
WR Kalif Raymond (knee) out

Buccaneers at Lions picks and predictions

Prediction

Lions 27, Buccaneers 20

Moneyline

The Lions (-275) have been 1 of the top teams in the NFL all season, beginning with their statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, limped to a 9-8 record and barely got into the playoffs with a 9-0 win over the lowly Panthers in Week 18.

The Lions are heavily favored on the moneyline, which isn't worth betting at a number like -275. This is a game they should win thanks to a significantly better roster from top to bottom, as well as the fact that they're the home team. PASS on the ML.

Against the spread

The Lions and Buccaneers have been the 2 best teams in the NFL against the spread this season, each going 12-6 ATS. The Lions are big favorites, giving 6 points to Tampa Bay after only laying 3 against the Rams, but that's a key number and one worth betting.

As long as the Lions can mask their weaknesses in the secondary and limit the impact of Tampa Bay's wideouts, Detroit will be in great shape. LaPorta is getting healthier, and the offense is filled with playmakers. BET LIONS -6 (-110) against a Bucs team that caught a break by getting the dysfunctional Eagles in the 1st round.

Over/Under

The Over/Under is the 2nd-highest of the weekend, but 49 points feels like too big a number. After the Rams and Lions got off to a hot start with 38 points in the 1st half on Sunday, they combined for just 9 points in the 2nd half. And the Bucs defense is stout, allowing just 9 points in their last 2 games combined.

The Bucs could take away Detroit's ground game, with the Lions completely erasing Tampa Bay's already-poor rushing attack, making each offense 1-dimensional.

The Buccaneers won't have as much success against a Lions defense that allowed just 23 points to the Rams despite forcing zero turnovers, potentially leading to a lower-scoring game than expected.

BET UNDER 49.5 (-110).

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