The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) travel to Motor City in Week 2 of the 2024-25 NFL season for a showdown with the Detroit Lions (1-0). Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST on September 15th at Ford Field.
Oddsmakers are expecting this game to be a high powered offensive slugfest, as the current total is one of the highest on the board. Both teams impressed in their regular season debut last weekend, combining for 63 total points in their respective home openers.
Tampa Bay was dominant against Washington in Week 1, blowing the doors of the Commanders with a decisive 37-20 victory. The Lions found themselves in a much more competitive game against the Rams on Sunday Night Football, as they needed a late field goal to force overtime en route to a thrilling 26-20 win.
Matchup Details, Betting Market Information and Where to Watch
Oddsmakers opened this game up with the Buccaneers listed as 6.5-point road underdogs. The spread has increased by a full point after early betting, as Tampa Bay is currently available at +7.5 on most sportsbooks. The total for this matchup is 51.5 points. Viewers hoping to watch the game should note that it will be televised exclusively on the FOX Sports Network. In Canada, the game will also be available on DAZN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Roll Over Washington
The momentum from the 2023-24 season continued into opening weekend for the Bucs last Sunday, as they crushed Washington at home after an impressive second half and playoff run last year. QB Baker Mayfield was fantastic, going 24/30 for 289 passing yards and four touchdowns against a weak Commanders defense. The receiving duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were unstoppable, combining for almost 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Tampa Bay was also dominant on the ground, racking up well over 100 rushing yards in a run-positive game script situation. RB Rachaad White wasn’t overly effective though, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry. However, White continues to be one of the best pass-catching running backs in the NFL, recording six catches for 75 yards. Bucky Irving impressed in the season opener, averaging almost seven yards per carry.
On the other side of the ball, the Bucs were fairly average on defense despite an impressive first half. Tampa Bay held the Commanders to just a single touchdown over the first two quarters before Jayden Daniels and the rest of the Washington offense found the end zone on the ground twice down the stretch. However, the Buccaneers secondary was fantastic, as they held Daniels to under 200 total passing yards and didn’t surrender a single touchdown through the air.
Detroit Lions Pull Off Comeback With Overtime Victory Against Rams
Detroit managed to escape with a victory in Week 1 despite a back and forth affair with a very tough Los Angeles Rams squad. The Lions were up 10-3 at half time before falling behind by a field goal in the fourth quarter. After tying the game up 20-20 with just 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter, they took their first possession in overtime the length of the field for a game-winning touchdown. QB Jared Goff had a fairly pedestrian game overall, going 18/28 for 217 yards and a touchdown but also getting picked off once.
The story of the game for the Lions offense was streaky wideout Jameson Williams, who turned five receptions into 121 yards and a touchdown in a breakout performance. If Williams can even come close to a similar level of consistency over the rest of the season, the Detroit offense will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Despite the explosion from Williams, Amon-Ra St.Brown was eerily quiet, making three catches for only 13 yards.
It was also another solid performance for the Lion’s talented backfield duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, as the pair combined for 131 total rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. They should be busy again in Week 2 against a Bucs defense that just gave up three touchdowns on the ground last weekend.
Detroit had major issues defending against the pass in Week 1, as Rams wideout Cooper Kupp exploded for a ridiculous 14 receptions, 110 receiving yards, and a touchdown. However, the Lions were effective at shutting down Los Angeles on the ground, holding Kyren Williams to just 2.8 yards per carry out of the backfield.
Our Buccaneers vs Lions NFL Betting Prediction and Pick
This matchup is easily one of the most anticipated games on the entire schedule here in Week 2, as there should be a ton of back and forth action on offense. While I totally understand why the Lions are favored again at home on Sunday afternoon, I think that the betting market is still undervaluing the Bucs in a fairly substantial way.
While it is easy to chalk up most of Tampa Bay’s Week 1 success to a below average opponent, it is important not to discount how well this same team performed in the postseason last year. The Buccaneers have shown repeatedly that they can keep pace with high powered offenses, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they find a way to keep this a one score game.
Against the Spread Betting Market Tip: Buccaneers +7.5
I wasn’t in a rush to bet either team against the spread when the opening line was posted earlier in the week, as the market seemed pretty efficient overall. However, with bettors hammering the Lions early and increasing the line to 7.5 points, I do feel as if some value has opened up with the underdog.
I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Tampa Bay managed to win this game outright, as the Lions were clearly lucky in Week 1 to escape with a victory after tying the game late and then winning the coin toss to begin overtime. They also had no answer for Cooper Kupp despite the Rams losing Puka Nacua to injury, so look for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to post solid numbers again here in Week 2. Even if Detroit manages to grind out another hard fought win in this matchup, I expect the Bucs to likely stay within striking distance throughout. Give me Tampa Bay and the points!
