Article courtesy of BETUS. BETUS is a sportsbook accomplice of Pewter Report.
A pair of groups who have been each opening-week winners meet in Michigan because the defending NFC South-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers oppose the NFC North-winning Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. It’s a rematch of the divisional-round playoff sport of final season, received at this venue by the Lions, 31-23. That was a 17-17 sport getting into the ultimate quarter.
In final week’s opener, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers whipping visiting Washington, 37-20, as quarterback Baker Mayfield (289 passing yards, 4 touchdowns), recent off his new contract, had his means with the protection of the Commanders.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and Lions QB Jared Goff – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
There weren’t many notable quarterback achievements final week, however Mayfield proved an exception, albeit in opposition to a group that’s been fairly porous.
Detroit can also be 1-0 after escaping the pesky Los Angeles Rams, 26-20 in additional time. It wasn’t quarterback Jared Goff’s most interesting hour (18-of-28, 217 passing yards, one landing), however the Lions ran wild (163 yards, greater than 5 yards per carry). David Montgomery’s one-yard ‘sprint’ throughout ‘free soccer’ received the sport.
They may want extra stability when dealing with an improved Buccaneers group.
Detroit is a landing favourite (whole at 52), based on NFL odds.
It’s the 63rd assembly (together with the postseason) between the groups. Detroit is main, 33-29.
Right here’s a have a look at what to anticipate in Motown in the course of the season’s second week…
Ford Subject Mayfield
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
It was ages in the past (2018, to be actual) when the Cleveland Browns chosen quarterback Baker Mayfield as the primary total choice within the draft.
He did revive a Cleveland franchise that had been in disarray for a few years and not using a reputable quarterback, Mayfield, regardless of sizable numbers with the Browns, was deemed to be expandable. So, after 4 seasons by Lake Erie, he was off to the Carolina Panthers and LosAngeles Rams. He’s now firmly entrenched in Tampa Bay, main the Buccaneers (career-best 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns) into the playoffs final season.
Mayfield and the Bucs constructed an early 13-0 lead in opposition to Washington and by no means had an anxious second. He was capable of finding seven totally different targets whereas rookie operating again Bucky Irving led the group with 62 floor yards.
In final season’s playoff loss to the Lions, Mayfield was each good (349 passing yards, three touchdowns) and unhealthy (two interceptions).
Lions Weren’t Fairly
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
It’s considerably of a quirk within the schedule that finds the Detroit Lions opening this season in opposition to the 2 groups they whipped within the playoffs final season. Earlier than eliminating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they edged the Los Angeles Rams.
Concerning final Sunday, Detroit had a 10-3 lead over the Rams within the waning moments of the second quarter. LA’s two-minute drill resulted in an interception. Detroit did construct a 17-3 lead early within the third quarter, however couldn’t stop an LA rally that despatched the sport into additional time.
As was talked about, Detroit wanted each little bit of a terrific run sport to win, regardless of the guests having a bonus in nearly each different class.
Lay the Wooden
Bucs CB Jamel Dean and Lions TE Sam LaPorta – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Detroit is 5-1 (+500) to win the NFC, whereas Tampa is 30-1 (+3000), as per NFL convention odds. Whereas Tampa Bay did slap round a rebuilding/repulsive Washington Commander group final week, occurring the highway presents a a lot harder take a look at this time round.
There isn’t the rookie quarterback (Jayden Daniels) the Bucs noticed within the opener, however somewhat a seasoned vet in Jared Goff. Let’s not dismiss Daniels’ team-leading 88 speeding yards and two touchdowns.
Goff wasn’t nice to start the season, however he did toss a pair of scores in opposition to Tampa Bay within the aforementioned playoff sport final season. He isn’t a runner within the mildew of Daniels, but when the Bucs couldn’t comprise the legs of the rookie, can they restrict the excellent backfield tandem (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) of the Lions?
Remaining at house makes issues that a lot simpler with the Lions, in order that’s the way in which we’re going.
Take the Detroit Lions -7 Sunday afternoon.
