NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND GAME 3: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DETROIT LIONS

BY ADAM GREENE

Our first game of our NFL Divisional Round Sunday is in Ford Field, the second-ever playoff game held in that venue when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make the trip above the Great Ice Wall to face off against the surging Detroit Lions.

Believe it or not, this is not the first playoff matchup between these two franchises that go decades at a time before consecutive winning seasons. It’s the second, with the first coming in the 1997-98 season, a 20-10 win by the Bucs. Detroit leads the all-time series 32-29 and won their meeting this year on Oct. 15, 20-6. In the victory, Jared Goff was 30 of 44 passing for 353 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Craig Reynolds rushed 10 times for 15 yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 12 passes for 124 yards and touchdown.

Baker Mayfield was 19 of 37 passing for 206 yards, no touchdowns and a pick in the loss. Rachaad White carried the ball seven times for 26 yards. Chris Godwin caught six passes for 77 yards.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DETROIT LIONS (-6.5, O/U: 49)

Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Jan. 21, 3 p.m.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-8)

In the final game of Super Wild Card Weekend, the Buccaneers crushed the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, 32-9. Baker Mayfield was 22 of 36 passing for 337 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. He scrambled twice for 16 yards and was sacked four times. Rachaad White rushed 18 times for 72 yards. Cade Otton caught eight passes for 89 yards. David Moore had two receptions for 66 yards and a score. Trey Palmer caught a 56-yard touchdown. Chris Godwin hauled in four grabs for 45 yards and a TD. The defense held the Eagles to a total of 42 yards and sacked Jalen Hurts three times.

DETROIT LIONS (13-5)

Detroit exorcized many a demon last week, defeating the Los Angeles Rams and their former franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford in a 24-23 victory that turned out to be the only good game of the weekend. Jared Goff finished his day 22 of 27 passing for 277 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked three times. David Montgomery had 14 carries for 57 yards and a TD. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed eight times for 25 yards and a TD. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught seven passes for 110 yards. The defense held the Rams to 68 yards on the ground and sacked Stafford twice. More importantly, they held LA to three field goals in the red zone and that turned out to be the difference in the one-point win.

THE PICK

Having a touchdown spread in this one is a solid indication that this is the “Brand New Lions,” but things tighten up in this round of the playoffs. If the two games on Saturday are walks, and they could be, this one will likely be tight. It’s just the way the football gods work. I like Detroit, but I think it’ll be closer than the spread. Lions 24, Buccaneers 20

Last week

Straight up: 2-4

Against the spread: 3-3

Season

Straight up: 190-88

Against the spread: 176-102

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