Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Detroit Lions Week 2: Promos, Odds, Predictions, Picks & Best Bets

The Lions hardly looked like the kings of the NFC for much of their Week 1 performance against the Rams. Detroit went just 2-for-4 in the red zone and allowed 387 yards to Los Angeles, which was without top receiver Puka Nacua (knee) for the entire second half.

Still, the Lions put up 363 yards and 26 points. They also got a breakout performance from Jameson Williams, who had 121 receiving yards and a touchdown along with 13 rushing yards. Gibbs and Montgomery were lethal on the ground, making up for Jared Goff’s pedestrian passing performance (217 yards).

The Buccaneers looked dominant against the overmatched Commanders, and they hung around for much of their eight-point loss to Detroit in last year’s playoffs. However, this week’s matchup is considerably tougher for them against one of the league’s top teams on the road.

Tampa Bay allowed 138 rushing yards to Washington, including 88 yards to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Goff isn’t super-mobile, but Montgomery and Gibbs are arguably the best tandem backfield in football. The odds aren’t great, but take the Lions on the moneyline.

Detroit was in danger of losing outright to Los Angeles last week, yet still managed to cover after tying the game late and scoring in OT.

It feels like the NFL is still sleeping on the Bucs without Tom Brady. Despite winning three straight NFC South titles, they still have the second-longest odds to win the division (+240).

The Lions are one of the top contenders in the NFC, and if Tampa Bay wants to get into that category, a hard-fought game would go a long way.

With Mayfield, their elite receiving duo of Evans and Chris Godwin and a seemingly competent rushing attack led by rookie Bucky Evans, the Bucs should be able to hang tough and stay within a touchdown. Take the points with Tampa Bay, especially after Detroit’s uneven performance last week.

It’s time to start buying into the Mayfield hype. The Bucs’ offense was good enough to get them to the postseason last year and started 2024 on fire, albeit against an underwhelming Washington defense.

The Lions’ offense is also super-efficient. With Goff, Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and their aforementioned running backs, they’re always a threat to score.

That said, this could be a ground-and-pound game, especially from Detroit’s perspective. The Over/Under of 51 is a lofty total for any game, even one with this much offensive talent.

Still, I can’t bet the Under. The offenses are too good, so take the Over and root for points.

David Montgomery Anytime Touchdown (-175)

Montgomery found paydirt on the last play of last week’s game, and against Tampa Bay’s soft rushing defense then he should be able to score again. Montgomery has scored in four straight regular-season games and six of the past seven, including the playoffs.

Montgomery’s odds aren’t very lucrative. However, after the Commanders scored three rushing touchdowns against the Bucs last week, this prop bet is a must.

Baker Mayfield Over 262.5 Passing Yards (-115)

Mayfield spread the ball around last week, hitting seven different teammates with at least one pass. Three different Tampa Bay receivers had 60-plus receiving yards, and four put up at least 30 receiving yards.

The Lions allowed 110 receiving yards and 14 catches to Cooper Kupp last week and still surrendered 42 yards to Nacua before he exited at halftime. Plus, Mayfield threw for 349 yards against Detroit in the playoffs last year.

If the Bucs fall behind in this game, Mayfield will have the opportunity to put up huge numbers and potentially exceed 300 yards against Detroit, as Matthew Stafford did on Sunday.

• Moneyline: Lions (-360). Detroit has now won five straight home games dating back to Thanksgiving 2023, including the playoffs. The Lions should do enough to boost that streak to six.
• Spread: Buccaneers +7.5 (-112). Tampa Bay may have lost by eight points in the playoffs, but it’s still flying under the radar with an underrated offense and solid defense. Covering 7.5 points as a favorite is a tall order in the NFL, so look for the Bucs to stay within that number.
• Total: Over 51 (-112). This is a high bar to clear, but considering the weapons, quarterbacks and defenses, we still like the Over.
• Prop 1: David Montgomery Anytime Touchdown (-175). Montgomery has been a touchdown machine since joining the Lions, registering 16 TDs in 18 career games in Honolulu blue. Look for him to punch in another one on Sunday.
• Prop 2: Baker Mayfield Over 262.5 passing yards (-115). Mayfield should be able to put up a big passing number, especially after Stafford lit up the Lions last week without one of his top receivers in the second half.

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