Bucs vs. Lions: Pewter Predictions For Week 6

I want the Bucs to win this game. They are currently 1-3 in creamsicle throwback games with three straight losses. While donning the creamsicle uniforms in the 1990s, Tampa Bay lost its last five games against Detroit in the orange and white back in the day. There is so much excitement with the return of the creamsicles. The fans are geeked about it, and so are the players. Bucs chief operating officer Brian Ford and his marketing team have done an amazing job with all of the hype and hoopla surrounding this game, and the fact that Fox flexed it to 4:25 p.m. makes a big game even bigger.

I’ll encourage you to read my new SR’s Fab 5 column for additional insight into this week’s Bucs vs. Lions game. I spent my whole column analyzing this massive measuring stick game for the Bucs. In short, the red zone will determine the winner. Whichever team scores more touchdowns than field goals will triumph. While the main event is the Lions’ high-scoring offense versus the Bucs’ stingy red zone defense, the undercard of Tampa Bay’s struggling red zone offense versus the Lions’ less-than-average red zone defense could ultimately decide the outcome.

I think this game will be a shootout, and I don’t think the Bucs offense is there yet from an execution standpoint to match the Lions touchdown for touchdown, point for point. Maybe by midseason, the Bucs could fare better and win a shootout game, but not right now. Tampa Bay could win the game, but would likely need a defensive touchdown or a special teams score for that to happen. Winning the turnover battle is the only way the Bucs have a chance against a formidable Lions team.

I’ve been a perfect 4-0 in my picks so far, and I would love to be wrong and have my streak come to an end thanks to a Bucs upset. But I don’t see that happening. Hope I’m wrong.

REYNOLDS’ GAME PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bucs 24
REYNOLDS’ SEASON RECORD: 4-0

Matt Matera: Creamsicle Day Is Spoiled With A Bucs Loss

This is another measuring stick game for the Bucs as they go against the Lions, and this time we get creamsicles! Their first measuring stick game against the Eagles didn’t go as well, but we did see that they’re going to hang tough. While the Eagles and Lions are different teams, what they do have in common is having a great ability to stop the run, which the Bucs will have to deal with. Tampa Bay has had its ups and downs this year running the football. On the other hand, Detroit is third-best in the league in stopping the run, so it’s going to be tough sledding for Tampa Bay succeeding in the ground game. We know they’ll try it, but will they be efficient?

It’s a big boost having Mike Evans for this game as he and Chris Godwin have accumulated the majority of the Bucs’ passing yards this season. They’ll need to have gigantic games in order to come out on top. The problem is, I still don’t trust the offensive line just yet whether it’s run blocking or pass blocking. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a game-wrecker that must be limited in order for the Bucs to operate.

Battling in the red zone is going to make all the difference for the Bucs’ defense against the potent Lions’ offense. I wouldn’t categorize the Bucs as “bend but don’t” break on that side of the ball, but they are susceptible to allowing a lot of yardage while keeping points off the board. That’s because they’re stingy in the red zone, ranking second in the league.

Hopefully the return of rookie defensive tackle Calijah Kancey can help Tampa Bay’s pass rush up front and slow down the passing attack. The Lions will target wide receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta often, but their talent on offense goes much further. Field goals will be friendly for the Bucs.

I hate to pick against the Bucs on this throwback creamsicle week but I just think they’re going to have a hard time putting up points. Tampa Bay’s defense will make it difficult for Detroit, but they can’t do it all for four quarters. It’s relatively close, but not enough.

MATERA’S GAME PREDICTION: Lions 22, Bucs 18
MATERA’S SEASON RECORD: 3-1

Bailey Adams: Everything Comes Together As Bucs Pull Off The Upset

I had every intention of picking the Lions, so much so that I had written almost an entire rationale as to why Detroit would win, get to 5-1 and send Tampa Bay into a week full of questions about how good the team really is after failing its two biggest tests of the season so far. But as I got down to the end of what would’ve been the final paragraph, I realized that I believe the Bucs can execute the formula they need to execute in order to win this game.

The Lions have the better offense. It’s one of the highest-scoring in the league, while Tampa Bay’s offense has still proven to be a work in progress. So if this game turns into a shootout, I don’t like the home team’s chances.

But for some reason, I don’t think I see this turning into a high-scoring game. I think Todd Bowles’ defense makes a statement in this one and puts the team in a position to win. Getting Calijah Kancey in the mix could be big for Tampa Bay’s defensive line, plus I think Bowles will dial up some creative blitz packages to get Jared Goff off-balance early.

The bye week may have been early, but I think it helped in a big way. The secondary should be the healthiest it’s been in a few weeks, as should Devin White and Vita Vea. While Goff and David Montgomery will try to carry the load, the iffy health of Sam LaPorta and Am0n-Ra St. Brown could factor in. And while takeaways may not come at quite the clip they have been, I think the Bucs grab one or two to swing the game.

Meanwhile, this prediction — while admittedly risky — relies on the best game of the season so far for Dave Canales’ offense coming at the perfect time. I like what Baker Mayfield is doing in this system and I think he carries things over from his three-touchdown day in New Orleans to put up similar numbers in front of the home fans.

And speaking of the home fans, it’s the throwback game. I know the Bucs have lost those in the past, but the vibes are too strong here. I may regret this, but I think Tampa Bay pulls off the upset in its creamsicle uniforms and Bucco Bruce helmets to send everyone home happy.

ADAMS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 23, Lions 17
ADAMS’ SEASON RECORD: 4-0

Josh Queipo: Bucs Fall To Former NFC Central Foe

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the real deal. He is running the most creative run game in the NFL, and the NFL still includes both the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers. While the Bucs’ defense has been stout this year overall, they did allow the Bears running back tandem of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson to average over six yards per carry in Week 2.

They followed that up by allowing the Eagles running backs to rack up 173 yards on 30 carries. The Lions will follow the Philly playbook and try and establish an efficient and effective rushing attack and then run their play-action game off of it. I fear this will work against a Bucs defense that I am still not fully bought into as an elite group.

On offense, the Bucs will be able to move the ball and score, borrowing from offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ old stomping grounds in Seattle. But there will be some struggles and at least one Baker Mayfield interception as the Bucs attempt to attack the intermediate part of the field. That’s where the Lions’ defense has been most vulnerable, but it’s also where Mayfield has also struggled the most. That interception will be the difference in the game that leads the Lions to victory.

Jared Goff is 34-of-45 for 451 yards and five touchdowns this year when passing off of play-action and has the eighth-highest Pro Football Focus rating in such situations this year. If Johnson can get both aspects of his offense going, I fear the Bucs offense will not be able to keep up. All is not lost in this game, though. The Bucs offense is able to score five times and show they can keep pace with one of the best teams in the NFC, cementing themselves as a real playoff contender.

QUEIPO’S GAME PREDICTION: Lions 28, Bucs 27
QUEIPO’S SEASON RECORD: 3-1

Adam Slivon: Bucs Domesticate Lions, Continue Strong Start

The Bucs have started off the season sitting pretty with a 3-1 record. After an early bye week, the team is well-rested as it prepares for a game that should offer plenty of nostalgia.

There is a lot to like about the Lions this year, as they have started off 4-1 and have lived up to offseason hype as they have built off their impressive 9-8 record last year. Head coach Dan Campbell brings the best out of each of his 53 players, and the young, talented roster has only been boosted through the team’s latest draft class. 

Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch all look to be solid draft selections as they have showcased their respective play-making abilities. The only problem is that each of them minus Campbell has injury question marks ahead of Sunday.

In addition, while Amon-Ra St. Brown looks ready to go after being out last week, it appears that the Bucs are getting the Lions at a time when they are not fully healthy. On the flip side, Tampa Bay is getting a lot of its defensive depth back and that could prove crucial at holding Detroit under the 29.6 points per game they have been averaging. 

The Bucs’ own offense has had the chance to grow more comfortable under Dave Canales, and this week he said that the group is bound to have a “statement game” where everything comes together. I do have my questions about whether that will truly be the case this week, especially in the run game as Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill are two players to worry about upfront. But if they can be contained enough, Baker Mayfield has a favorable chance at defeating Jared Goff in a duel of former number-one overall picks. 

In a game wearing their throwback uniforms, I see the Bucs having a little creamsicle magic and eeking out a win against their once-former NFC Central division rival.

SLIVON’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Lions 24
SLIVON’S SEASON RECORD: 4-0