NFL Preview: Lions vs. Buccaneers Odds, Betting Lines, Props, And Injury Report


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NFL Preview: Lions vs. Buccaneers Odds, Betting Lines, Props, And Injury Report

The Detroit Lions travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET after the NFL used flexed scheduling to move this game into a late afternoon slot in Week 6. The Bucs are leading the NFC South at 3-1, and the Lions are ahead in the NFC North standings with a 4-1 record. 

The Lions opened as 3.5-point favorites and are available at [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”spread-away” query=”535975″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] now at some of the best football sportsbooks. The Bucs are getting [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”moneyLine-home” query=”535975″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] odds on the moneyline in a game with an over/under line of [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”overUnder” query=”535975″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] points.

Below, we take a closer look at Sunday’s Lions vs. Bucs matchup with info on the odds, betting lines, and player props for the Week 6 game.

Can the Lions maintain their momentum?

After edging the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 21-20 in their season opener, the Lions dropped a high-scoring home game to the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, they’ve averaged 32 points per game and 378.7 yards gained while holding opponents to 251.7 yards over three wins. 

The Bucs are coming out of their bye week. Tampa Bay handled the New Orleans Saints, 26-9, in Week and has played disciplined football through four games with the best turnover margin (+1.8) in the NFL. 

Bucs defensive front versus Lions running game 

The Lions swapped out running backs D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery this offseason. With six rushing touchdowns in four appearances, Montgomery has emerged as a premier weapon in the red zone. 

The Tampa defense ranks second in opponents’ touchdown conversion rate (27.3%) this season, and the Detroit offense ranks seventh (63.2%) in converting red zone possessions to touchdowns. 

Bucs receivers versus Lions secondary

The Lions have not been consistently tested downfield by their last three opponents. If Mike Evans (hamstring) is moving at full speed, the Bucs might be able to exploit some matchups in the secondary, with Chris Godwin and Evans working against some inexperienced cornerbacks. 

Offseason acquisitions Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are both on injured reserve for Detroit, and rookie safety Brian Branch (ankle) is out for Week 6. Detroit could activate Khalil Dorsey (illness) from IR to provide some depth at cornerback alongside veteran Cam Sutton and third-year Arkansas product Jerry Jacobs

Lions vs. Bucs odds and betting lines

[metabet_core_odds_board query=”535975″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]

Lions vs. Bucs player props

This is an interesting spot for some of the top players on both sides of the ball as strength meets strength in this NFC matchup. 

Anytime touchdown scorer

David Montgomery has scored a touchdown in every appearance thus far for the Lions, and he’s getting odds of [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_game_player_score_touchdown/535975″ query=”nfl/david_montgomery/player_118681″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”] to score in this game. Montgomery’s rushing prop is interesting as the Bucs’ defense is allowing 4.1 yards per carry and 94.8 rushing yards per game. His prop is at [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_game_player_rushing_yards/535975″ query=”nfl/david_montgomery/player_118681″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”].

Receiving yards 

Chris Godwin caught eight of 11 targets for 114 yards in Week 4 when Mike Evans had to check out of the game with a hamstring injury. In this game, he’ll be facing a Lions secondary that is beset by injuries. 

Josh Reynolds may see a boost in targets if Sam LaPorta (calf) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) aren’t fully healthy. Additionally, the Bucs might deploy top cornerback Carlton Davis on St. Brown.

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”nfl/chris_godwin/player_65817″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”nfl/josh_reynolds/player_65796″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”nfl/amon_ra_st._brown/player_147447″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”legalsportsreport”]

Lions vs. Bucs injury report

The Lions have ruled out Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and left guard Jonah Jackson (ankle). Edge rusher Josh Paschal (knee) and tight end James Mitchell (hamstring) are also out, but Sam LaPorta (calf) is expected to play. Offensive guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai recently returned from an ankle injury, and Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) no longer has an injury designation.

The Bucs expect to get cornerback Jamel Dean (neck) and rookie defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) back in Week 6. Linebacker Shaq Barrett has missed practice time with an illness and is questionable.