It’s Week 3 of the preseason and that means one thing, expect to see the starters in the game for most of, if not all of, the first half of the Lions at Buccaneers game.
This is the closest we get to a real game until September, so even though Tampa Bay is 2-0 and Detroit is 0-2 you can ignore the records. This one will be played a little differently than the rest.
The Lions will whip out Matthew Stafford, while the Buccaneers will probably give Ryan Fitzpatrick the bulk of the reps since he will be the Week 1 starter thanks to a Jameis Winston suspension.
Lions at Buccaneers Odds
Buccaneers -2, Total: 44.5
Related: NFL Preseason Betting Strategy
Lions at Buccaneers Analysis
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is in a unique situation to begin the season. There is no question Winston is the starting quarterback, but Fitzpatrick will begin the season under center as Winston serves his suspension. This makes the Buccaneers a dangerous preseason team.
Look for the Buccaneers to be favored in Week 4 as well, because unlike every other team, their starter gets a three week break. Winston will play either the whole first half or second half and still probably play a bit in Week 4 when starters are normally sitting, simply so he can get as much game action as he can before his return in Week 4. With Winston and Fitzpatrick playing the entire game, the Bucs are sure to have a consistent offense throughout.
Detroit
Detroit’s quarterback situation is also clear. Stafford is the unquestioned starter and with him playing an entire half — or perhaps a little less — look for him to help push the total toward the over.
However, the Lions have interesting battles going on this preseason behind Stafford.
Matt Cassell and Jake Rudock are competing to be his backup, which should also help the over as they are going out there to prove they can lead Detroit to some points.
The Lions’ running game has been abysmal since Barry Sanders retired nearly two decades ago, but finally there is hope in Detroit.
LeGarrette Blount, rookie Kerryon Johnson, Ameer Abdullah and pass catching running back Theo Riddick are all in the mix for touches in the backfield.
Lions at Buccaneers Pick
Week 3 tends to be feature of the more interesting games because the starters play more than any other week.
With Stafford likely playing a lot and Fitzpatrick and Winston both getting a lot of time, the defenses could be in trouble later in the game.
Go with the over for this one as Tampa Bay is averaging 28 points in its first two preseason games while the Lions are giving up 23. Detroit averages 13.5 points and the Buccaneers give up 19 points per game.
With better quarterback play for longer periods of time, the Buccaneers should get close to that 28 points per game mark and with the Lions having a good amount of Stafford, they should beat their 13.5 points per game before the half.
Tampa Bay will have better quarterback play throughout the game, so look for the Bucs to hold up their end to the -2 spread.
