Bucs vs. Lions, 12/26/20 NFL Week 16 Betting Predictions

Bucs vs. Lions Week 16 Prediction

The Bucs needed to erase a 17-0 halftime deficit to beat the Falcons last week in Atlanta and now they have a short turnaround, as they’ll take on the Lions in Detroit on Saturday afternoon. What’s the best bet in this 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff from Ford Field?

Game Snapshot

457 Tampa Bay Bucs (-9.5) at 458 Detroit Lions (+9.5); o/u 54

1:00 p.m. ET, December 26, 2020

Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV: NFL Network

Tampa Bay Bucs DFS Spin

Tom Brady completed 31-of-45 passes for 390 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs' 31-27, Week 15 win over the Falcons. It was a tale of two halves for Brady and the Bucs, who went into the break down 17-0. Brady was definitely off in the first 30 minutes, missing open throws and taking some sacks behind a leaky line that was missing LT Donovan Smith. But in true Falcons fashion, the Atlanta defense caved after the half, and Brady found Chris Godwin for a four-yard score and Antonio Brown over the top for a 46-yarder. Mike Evans was also tackled at the one- and six-yard lines ahead of Leonard Fournette rushing scores, so Brady's day could have been even bigger. Brady's 390 yards marked a new season high, and he now gets a juicy Week 16 draw with the Lions, who Ryan Tannehill just blasted for five touchdowns in Week 15.

Detroit Lions DFS Spin

Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell does not expect Matthew Stafford (ribs) to be shut down. "To be honest with you, I don't think he'll let that happen," Bevell said Tuesday. Stafford took a seat in the fourth quarter of Sunday's blowout loss to the Titans, but he apparently did not suffer an aggravation of his injury. The Lions are on a short week, playing the Bucs on Saturday. Stafford will follow the same routine he did last week, rationing practice reps before making a final decision. It certainly sounds like he will be out there for the tough matchup.

Bucs vs. Lions Betting Prediction

The Bucs are just 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 meetings with the Lions and have failed to cover in all four of their last four games following a win. Tampa is also 1-9-1 against the spread in its last 11 games played on Saturday and is 9-25-1 against the number in its last 35 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in its previous game. The Bucs have failed to cover in five of their last seven contests after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game as well, as they did last Sunday in Atlanta.

NFL WEEK 16 BETTING PREDICTION: DETROIT LIONS +9.5