The Detroit Lions (4-2) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) in the first game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader on October 20. Kickoff from Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., is set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on ESPN and ABC.
The Lions are 6-point favorites over the Buccaneers on the spread (Lions -6), with the over/under set at 53 total points. Detroit is a -275 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Tampa Bay is +225 to pull off the upset.
Below, you can find our Buccaneers vs Lions picks for Monday Night Football, which include predictions for the spread, game total and two player props.
Buccaneers vs Lions Picks & Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Monday Night Football Odds
- Buccaneers vs Lions Moneyline: Buccaneers +225, Lions -275
- Buccaneers vs Lions Spread: Buccaneers +6, Lions -6
- Buccaneers vs Lions Total: 53
Buccaneers vs Lions odds via bet365
Buccaneers vs Lions Spread Prediction
Given the state of the Bucs' and Lions' secondaries, the variance in this game is extremely high. A 6-point spread won’t feel like much if this game turns into a shootout.
With that said, Baker Mayfield is simply playing too well to be catching this many points. Mayfield will get the benefit of Mike Evans returning to the lineup, and there is a real chance Emeka Egbuka (questionable) ends up playing as well.
Even without a healthy skill-position group, Mayfield has continued to be productive no matter who he has to work with. Mayfield has a 94.6 passer rating under pressure this season, an incredible feat considering his offensive line hasn’t been at full strength.
The Lions' pass defense has struggled this season and they won’t be any healthier on Monday night. The same can be said for the Tampa defense, but Todd Bowles will utilize a zone-heavy scheme as he did a season ago, when he limited Jared Goff to just 4.5 yards per attempt.
The Bucs' rush defense is allowing 3.6 yards per carry to opposing running backs and they rank third in success rate versus the run. The combination of a stout run defense with the zone-heavy scheme should allow the Bucs to keep things in front of them defensively.
I expect the Lions to move the ball, but I also believe it will be a methodical attack; whereas Mayfield should lead several scoring drives predominantly through the air that seem rather easy against a vulnerable Lions secondary.
This game has 28-24 written all over it, so I will gladly take the points.
Pick: Buccaneers +6.5 (-120)
Buccaneers vs Lions Over/Under Pick
By Billy Ward
With Brian Branch suspended, the Lions are down all four of their opening day starters at defensive back. Branch he joins Kerby Joseph, DJ Reed and Terrion Arnold (all injured) on the Lions' list of inactives tonight.
Earlier this week, that looked like it wouldn’t be a problem as the Bucs' wide receivers are similarly banged up.
Of their initial starters, Chris Godwin has been ruled out, with Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka both questionable. As of Monday morning, it’s looking reasonably likely that both Evans and Egbuka can suit up, and they should have a huge edge over Detroit’s secondary, which will be primarily manned by players who weren’t on NFL rosters six weeks ago.
The Lion offense is reasonably healthy, though, and could get starting tackle Taylor Decker back for the first time in a few weeks. Without Decker, the Lions were held under 100 rushing yards last week, and their offense is much better when the pressure isn’t all on Jared Goff.
Of course, Goff can put the team on his back on occasion, especially at home. He’s historically played much better indoors and he gets a home game tonight against Tampa’s 20th-ranked pass defense (by DVOA). With the Lions offense almost fully healthy, they should have no problem marching up and down Ford Field.
Plus, both of these teams play quick.
The Buccaneers have the fastest overall pace of play in the league, with Detroit ranking 10th, so we should see a couple of extra drives relative to a typical game in this one.
Add that all up and I love the over – even though it’s climbed all the way to 52.5 on BetMGM.
Pick: Over 52.5 (-110)
Buccaneers vs Lions Player Props: Rachaad White
This matchup is tough, but with Rachaad White's role in the offense, these odds offer some decent value.
With Bucky Irving ruled out again for tonight's game, White will be the Bucs' go-to back.
Over the last two games without Irving, White has close to an 80% snap share and near 20 touches per game.
The Lions' rush defense is great, but this game is being played in a dome and White is going to get his usage regardless, especially with Emeka Egbuka potentially missing this game.
I have the true odds here around -150.
Pick: Rachaad White Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+110)
Buccaneers vs Lions Player Props: Cade Otton
Slot targets in the Bucs offense have historically been valuable.
The Bucs ranked fourth in receiving yards and sixth in yards per route run when a slot receiver was targeted last season; they're third in both metrics this season.
Those numbers are partially due to having good pass-catchers, but the team has gotten good production from a variety of players out of the slot.
With Emeka Egbuka getting knocked out of last week's game early on, Cade Otton posted season highs in receptions (five) and targets (six). He also led the team in slot route rate.
The Bucs are expected to be without Egbuka and Chris Godwin this week, while Mike Evans could return from injury. There's a decent chance Otton is the most proven pass-catcher for the Bucs in what is shaping up to be a shootout against Detroit.
The Lions have allowed the eighth-most yards and the fourth-most yards per route run on slot targets this season.
Pick: Cade Otton Over 36.5 Receiving Yards (-110); bet to 41.5
