Yes, Detroit fans, this is a new season. The Lions are not going to repeat opponents from last season’s playoff run EVERY week this season.
That pattern does remain in NFL Week 2, as the Lions meet the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 15.
These teams met in last season’s NFC Divisional Playoff round, and Detroit won 31-23. How fitting, then, that the point spread for this weekend’s game is 7.5 points in favor of the Lions.
Buccaneers vs. Lions NFL Week 2 odds
If you were hoping to bet on the Lions, you waited too long to get the best number.
Detroit opened as a 6.5-point favorite, but now it’s up to 7.5. If you wait, you might find it back at 7, but there is likely no chance it goes back below 7.
The moneyline odds for both teams are all over the place. You can bet the Lions at -330 on FanDuel Sportsbook, but if you go to DraftKings Sportsbook, you have to lay -375.
If you want to bet on the Bucs, you can get moneyline odds from +265 to +295.
The over/under is 51 or 51.5 points depending on which sports betting app you choose. It’s the highest total on the board in NFL Week 2.
Why Detroit could win as the favorite
Detroit is in Year 2 of having high expectations, and it backed up its status as a Super Bowl contender with a good overtime win over the LA Rams last week.
The Lions ran the ball well and especially showed their strength in that area during overtime.
The passing game was successful, too, and a big part of that was the emergence of WR Jameson Williams.
He gives Detroit a legit downfield threat to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is better on shallow to medium routes.
That’s bad news for a Tampa Bay team that is banged up on defense following its opening win over Washington.
Lions QB Jared Goff has been successful against the Bucs when their secondary is at full strength. Now that it’s missing some key pieces, it may be up, up and away for the Lions’ passing attack.
Why Tampa Bay could win as the underdog
The Bucs’ passing attack is no slouch either. It proved that again last week when Baker Mayfield threw four touchdown passes.
It appears rookie RB Bucky Irving will give Tampa a strong 1-2 punch in the run game alongside Rachaad White, so it would be foolish to count out the Bucs’ offense.
In their playoff game last season, the score was tied at the start of the fourth quarter so it’s not like Tampa got run off the field.
If the Bucs can find a way to keep up with the Lions offense and give themselves a chance in the final 15 minutes they may have what it takes to score a stunning upset.
Buccaneers vs. Lions Prediction
It’s fairly safe to assume the Lions will defend their home turf and win this game, but there is a big difference between the opening point spread of 6.5 points and the current point spread of 7.5.
The problem with laying more than a touchdown is that the backdoor is usually open. Look at what happened in the playoff game.
Detroit scored to take a 31-17 lead, and Tampa came right back down the field and scored to make it 31-23. The Bucs went for the 2-point conversion and failed.
We like the Lions in this game, and we’re willing to lay the 7.5 points. We just have to cross our fingers that they’re far enough ahead in the end that the backdoor won’t matter.
