Lions at Buccaneers: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon in Week 14. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and a final score pick.

We’ve got a lot of great games on the schedule in the NFL for Week 14. One game that reeks of desperation will be the one between two former NFC Central rivals in the Detroit Lions (6-6) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8). Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 10. Kenny Albert and former Buccaneers standout defensive back Ronde Barber will be in the booth to call the game for FOX.

Detroit is 6-6 on the season, but is four games back of the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in the NFC North race. Either a Vikings win over the Carolina Panthers or a Lions loss to the Buccaneers will knock Detroit out of the division race. However, the Lions are only two games back of the Panthers (8-4) for the second wild card spot in the NFC.

Tampa Bay is 4-8 on the season and has already been eliminated from contention in the NFC South race. The Buccaneers need to win out and have the Panthers and Seattle Seahawks lose out for them to have any hopes of the second NFC wild card spot. Tampa Bay is likely missing the NFC playoffs for the 10th straight season.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Unavailable
Moneylines: Unavailable
Over/Under: Unavailable

According to OddsShark, no lines are available for this game between the Lions and the Buccaneers. This is because Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had to leave Week 13’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens because of a bruised hand. He is however expected to start on Sunday for the Lions.

This game hinges greatly on if Stafford plays for the Lions or not. Though Tampa Bay is highly dysfunctional, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston should be able to beat the Lions if Stafford can’t go. That being said, Stafford will find a way to play in this game.

Tampa Bay will take a 20-17 lead with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Winston will find tight end Cameron Brate for the go-ahead touchdown. That will leave Stafford to have one of his patented come from behind game-winning touchdown drives. He’ll find wide receiver Golden Tate for the go-ahead score to make it 24-20 Lions.

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With a little over two minutes and three timeouts. Winston will have his shot to lead the Buccaneers down the field for another go-ahead, potential game-winning touchdown. Inside the Lions’ 20-yard line, Winston will throw his worst pick of the year and that will be all she wrote for Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes. Detroit lives to fight another day.

Pick: Lions, 24, Buccaneers 20