(FOX 2) – Can the Tampa Bay Bucs be defeated by the Detroit Lions?
The betting lines surely agree with sports pundits. And it’s safe to say that the supporters are fully on board. With a 62.5% chance of winning their divisional playoff match, Detroit has the support of even ESPN Analytics.
The issue of whether the team will prevail will remain until this Sunday’s beginning.
Looking back at their October matchup gives one idea of how Detroit will tackle Tampa Bay.
October’s Lions vs. Bucs game
With injuries to both of its premier rushing backs, Dave Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs—the former of whom strained his ribs in the second quarter—the Lions easily prevailed in the away game.
QB Jared Goff had to perform at his peak in order for head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to win, and he did it by throwing for 353 yards. Two touchdowns and one-third of those yards were gained by Amon-Ra St. Brown.
But it wasn’t just Goff who performed well on October 15; the Bucs’ quarterback Baker Mayfield was limited to 206 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception by Detroit’s formidable defense. All Tampa Bay could muster was two field goals.
The Bucs, who won the NFC South and easily defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard round, have been playing exceptionally well in the latter stages of the regular season. They qualified for the playoffs after winning five of their final six games.
Detroit must be vigilant against the deep danger that their defense has found it difficult to contain if they are to prevail. They prevented Mayfield from establishing any rhythm by doing it in their October game against Tampa Bay.
He completed passes ranging up to 26 yards in length.
Ford Field home field advantage
Games throughout the regular season lack the intensity that comes with the playoffs.
There is no resting of starters, and cohesive teams can overcome opponents with higher seeds if they execute their game plan effectively. Goff won’t be able to pass as well for Tampa Bay as he did the previous time, which might mean a different Buccaneers squad visiting Detroit.
The location of the second game, however, also makes it unique.
Ford Field has been a factor all season long, interfering with rival offenses and functioning somewhat to a 12th player. Due in part to the volume of the crowd last Sunday, Los Angeles was unable to prevent Detroit from running out the clock during the second half of the game after using two vital timeouts.
When the Lions play their historic second home playoff game of the season, the fans will be even more ecstatic.
NFL Playoffs encounter
Tampa Bay has more postseason experience despite Detroit having a superior record and a higher seed.
It is the team’s fourth consecutive postseason run this year. Of course, Tom Brady started at quarterback for the Patriots in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons, including the Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs.
Even though Tampa Bay’s offensive appears significantly different from that of the previous year, a number of its defensive players are back.
CJ Gardner-Johnson joined Detroit’s backfield in part because to his playoff experience, which includes the Eagles’ journey through last year’s playoffs, which ended in a Super Bowl loss. His efficiency as a safety and the additional assistance could benefit Detroit when they play.
