NFL Odds Pick – Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Lions and Buccaneers are not far off in terms of score differential, but the Bucs have a much better record of course and are thus the NFL odds pick favorites for Sunday’s matchup. Both teams have had their fair share of injuries but the Lions are particularly banged up heading into this one.

Can Detroit score a big upset and salvage some pride heading into the off-season or will Tampa Bay continue their struck of good luck and last-minute wins?

Detroit Lions (3-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

1 pm ET Sunday

NFL odds: Tampa Bay favored at -5 ½.

The Lions are only 24 points short of being even on the year in the points department overall while Tampa Bay is actually 7 points under the break-even mark.

The Lions of course dropped out of the playoff chase a long time ago while Tampa Bay is still in position to snag a spot with strong play down the stretch.

Despite that eye-opening statistical trend, the Lions are NFL odds underdogs for good reason.

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Their injuries have caught up to them and third-string QB Drew Stanton figures to get the start yet again.

Stanton was abysmal for most of the game against Green Bay stats-wise but he took care of the ball and was flawless on the game-winning drive in a 7-3 win over the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers.

Tampa Bay needed a missed extra point to beat a mediocre Washington team last week of course.

The Lions’ defensive line has been excellent all year and gives them a building block moving forward and a good chance to stay in this game.

But the NFL odds favorite Bucs have a QB in Josh Freeman who is big, strong and athletic and good at moving around in the pocket to buy time.

Expect the Bucs and Lions to play this one close for much of the game.

Tampa is only 1-4-1 ATS at home this year and while the Lions probably will lose again and extend their historically bad road losing streak, they can keep this one close as long as Stanton takes care of the ball as he did last week at Ford Field.

NFL odds pick: Detroit Lions (+5 ½).