By Kerry O’Brien – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
There are no odds available yet as Matthew Stafford’s status for this game is yet to be determined. The Lions dropped to 6-6 straight up and 5-6-1 against the spread following last Sunday’s 24-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens and are in a must win situation to stay in the wild card in the NFC. The result last weekend was the fifth straight game to finish over the posted total in Detroit games and the over is 9-3 on the year for the Lions. The Lions are also 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is 5-0 against the spread in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay. If Matthew Stafford does play, he has a 127.1 passer rating on the road and has throw 4 TD’s to 0 Interceptions. The Lions are almost an even split averaging 25 points per game on the road as well as giving up 25 points per game on the road.
The Buccaneers are 4-8 and even though not officially eliminated they are all but out of the wild card race. They would need a lot to happen . The Buccaneers are facing some key injuries on defense with T.J. Ward (concussion), cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (hamstring), defensive back Josh Robinson (hamstring) and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (back) all out Sunday. They are 4-8 straight up and 3-8-1 against the spread while the over is 7-5 in their 12 games so far this year. Things haven’t been as bad at home for Tampa Bay. The club has won three of its five home games outright and covered the spread in all but two of them. The total has gone under in 7 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games at home. Tampa is also a +12 in 4th quarter points. Tampa is a much different team at home defensively and overall. They are 3-2 at home this season and 7-2 in their last 9 with their only loses coming to the 10-2 New England Patriots (who they held to 19 pts) and the 8-4 Carolina Panthers (who they held to 17). They give up an average of 15 points a game at home compared to 30 per game on the road.
The Pick: Buccaneers 27, Lions 20