Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+9.5)* at Detroit Lions
While it won’t mean anything by season’s end, no two-win team has played better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, especially lately. Since the team’s Week 7 bye, the Buccaneers have a pathetic 1-5 record, but have only been outscored by ten points during that stretch. They have constantly knocked on the door of breaking through with another win, yet fallen short nearly every time.
Of all the opponents Tampa Bay could face that would be least likely to pull away in a given game, Detroit might be the best fit. In the team’s last six games, only their Thanksgiving matinée against the Bears featured a Lions’ double-digit win. Furthermore, Detroit touts an incredible defense — fewest points allowed and second-fewest yards allowed in the league — but a bottom-third scoring offense. In fact, besides the Thanksgiving win, the Lions have only broken the 24-point barrier one other time this season — Opening Night against the Giants. Tampa Bay has not allowed more than 27 points in a game since Week 6.
Detroit beats the Buccaneers at home by a touchdown, but Tampa Bay beats the spread.
