Sunday | 3:00 ET
The Lions get to host another playoff game on Sunday as the Bucs head to Detroit. Tampa Bay is coming off of a dominant win in Philadelphia against the reeling Eagles. They’ve won six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, the vibes have never been higher in Detroit. Ticket prices for this game have reached record levels, and the Lions are looking to build off an an emotional victory last week.
This is going to be an offensive game. The Lions have one of the best in the league, finishing fifth in points, third in net yards per pass attempt, and fifth in yards per carry. Detroit is also tied for first in rushing touchdowns and fifth in passing touchdowns. A phenomenal offensive line headed by C Frank Ragnow and RT Penei Sewell enables QB Jared Goff to have have ample time to makes reads downfield, as well as it allows the fantastic running back duo or David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to be their best selves. Now, they will face off against a solid Tampa defense on Sunday. The Bucs gave up the seventh-least points in 2023, but also allowed the fourth-most passing yards. The unit is good against the run (eighth-lowest yards per carry), but can give up big numbers in the passing game. Detroit has a versatile offense that can move the ball in a multitude of different ways. I expect Goff to have a good day throwing the ball. Just don’t expect many long touchdown passes with star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. surveying the secondary.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions defense has had its fair share of issues. It allowed the tenth-most points in 2023, the fourth-most net yards per pass attempt, and sixth-most passing touchdowns. Tampa will focusing on exploiting this, as Detroit is very good against the run (third-lowest yards per carry allowed). The Buccaneers will be forced to hammer the passing game, but this is something that they are comfortable with. The Bucs finished 2023 dead last in both rushing yards and yards per carry. Baker Mayfield has thrown for 300+ yards in three of his last five games, and he’ll certainly have a chance to reach that marker again this week. The Buccaneers will live and die by Baker’s ability to get the ball into WR Mike Evans and Chris Godwin’s hands.
Overall, both defenses will probably struggle a bit on Sunday afternoon in the pass game. Both offenses will be “bombs away” which makes me think that Tampa Bay may have a better than than most may think. Baker has a lot of weapons and has put together some big games this year. Still, I’ll side with the Lions. Their offense is still better than Tampa’s, and it will find a way to outscore the Buccaneers’. I also expect home field advantage to play a large role in this game.