Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions, National Football Conference game. The Buccaneers need a victory to clinch the playoff spot. Tom Brady knows that if they win today everything will be safer until next week. For now, everything points to the Bucs as favorites for the first game on Saturday. But the Lions can still close out the season with a couple of wins to bridge the gap. Things with Patricia didn’t work out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Playoffs one step away.
The Buccaneers are second in the division at 9-5-0. The team can reach the playoffs by winning this game, but if they lose there are no problems. Likewise, the chances of reaching the playoffs are several for the Bucs. Last week the team won 31-27 against the Falcons on the road. The last home win was against the Vikings 26-14. The record on the road this season is positive with 5-2-0, the last four games were victories.
On the road the Buccaneers are scoring an average of 31 points per game, 25 rushes with 98.14 rush yards, 27.57 passes completed and 296.14 pass yards. Ronald Jones is the best running back on the team with 180 rushes, 900 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. The defense allows up to 22.43 points on the road, 19.96 rushes with 65.57 rush yards. In the past four games, the Bucs averaged 36.75 points.
Tom Brady is close to going to the playoffs, but this time with a different team. So far Brady has 353/542 passes completed for 65.13% efficiency, 3886 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, 97.5 overall rating. No interceptions in the last two weeks. In the last game on the road with two touchdowns. 25 personal rushes for 3 touchdowns.
Detroit Lions: No way to go.
The Lions fired Matt Patricia last month. With the departure of Patricia (and Bob Quinn), the team is expected to find a new game strategy for the next season. For now, the Lions will end another year with a negative record. The interim coach will be Darrell Bevell who will not be available for this game due to coronavirus quarantine. The last two weeks were losses to the Packers 24-31 and the Titans 25-46. The Lions close out the season against the Vikings at home.
The home offense is scoring an average of 25.33 points per game with 21.50 rushes and 87 rush yards, 24 passes completed for 260.67 pass yards. The first half is usually the most productive with 13.17 points per game. The rushing attack is led by Adrian Peterson with 145 rushes, 531 yards and 6 touchdowns. The defense allows up to 33.67 points at home, 31.50 rushes and 119.67 rush yards. The last home win was against Washington 30-27 on November 15.
Matthew Stafford is unlikely to be available for this game. Stafford continues to recover from various injuries. 317/494 passes completed, 64.17% effective, 3774 yards, 23 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, 95.3 overall rating. 27 personal rushes for 103 yards. 6 touchdowns passes in the last 4 games. Chase Daniel (backup QB) will be available on the bench.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions 12/26/2020 is: OVER 53 (TOTALS).
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