BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in action following an early BYE week. Through four games, the Buccaneers have proven to be one of the surprises of the 2023 NFL season but they'll have to keep trending in the right direction to continue proving the national media wrong.
READ MORE: Baker Mayfield Pinpoints Moment He Realized Buccaneers Would Be 'Pretty Damn Good'
Tampa Bay will put its 3-1 record and top spot in the NFC South up to the test on Sunday afternoon when the Detroit Lions travel to Raymond James Stadium. This contest was flexed to the 4:25 p.m. window with the league expecting a showdown between Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, and a pair of strong defenses.
The Lions took down the Chiefs on the road to open the season and are on a stretch where they've won three straight games by 14+ points. From a perennial joke to playoff contenders, head coach Dan Campbell has his squad sitting as a force to be reckoned with.
Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Lions prepare for a throwback game where the creamsicle jerseys are coming out of retirement for the first time since 2012.
Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)
There were probably some mixed feelings going into the BYE week as I'm sure the Buccaneers wanted to continue riding a successful early-season wave. However, the extra time off was also beneficial as it now appears that star wide receiver Mike Evans will suit up after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over New Orleans.
That could provide a big boost on an offense that is still struggling to consistently find room on the ground. Quarterback Baker Mayfield's ability to take care of the football and produce on third down will be paramount against the Lions. He'll need Evans and fellow standout Chris Godwin to have success in a matchup with a talented secondary.
On the flip side, the defense will have its hands full with Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. It'll be big for the Buccaneers to get Jamel Dean, Ryan Neal, and Calijah Kancey back in the lineup to provide a boost.
I think this will be a close game throughout but Detroit does just enough in the fourth quarter to pull out a victory.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Lions 24, Buccaneers 20
Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)
One key thing to the Buccaneers making this a game on Sunday against the Lions is if they can continue their hot streak of protecting Baker Mayfield in the passing game.
Mayfield is elusive and he’s shown that to start the season but Aiden Hutchinson is a different animal from Detroit. His motor doesn’t stop and Tampa Bay’s offensive line needs to understand that and know the play doesn’t stop until the whistle.
Defensively, if Tampa can cause havoc in the trenches and apply pressure to Jared Goff, I like their chances even more. I seriously think Calijah Kancey can be a game-changer if he’s a 100% full go. This one is going to be fun and this is the toughest prediction I’ve had all season but sadly I have to go in the Lions’ favor.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-3
Lions 28, Buccaneers 23
David Harrison (@DHarrison82)
Tampa Bay is coming off a bye, it’s creamsicle weekend, and the team is trending toward healthier than it’s been all season long. Bucs by 30? Probably not. Bucs by 3? Sounds good.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Buccaneers 23, Lions 20
Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)
There's no more denying it. The Detroit Lions are a legitimate contender in the NFC, and it looks like they're here to stay. Similar to the Eagles — who gave the Bucs the business on their home turf — the Lions are a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. They've also got the best version we've ever seen of Jared Goff, who looks like he's leading an orchestra when conducting OC Ben Johnson's creative, dynamic, and diverse offensive scheme.
The Bucs are well-rested and look like they may be at full health for the first time since Week 1. My head is telling me to take the Lions, but I feel like with his full arsenal of weapons on defense, Todd Bowles is going to scheme up some funky stuff on Sunday. I think the difference in the game will come down to the Buccaneers generating a couple of takeaways on defense while taking care of the football on offense.
Besides, I just can't go against the Bucs in their creamsicles.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Buccaneers 27, Lions 24
Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)
The Buccaneers are coming off their bye week and look to be close to 100% healthy outside of the question mark surrounding Mike Evans. The visiting Detroit Lions, much like the Bucs, are on an upward trajectory and boast one of the more potent offenses in the league.
This matchup will feature one of the best offenses in the NFL going up against one of the best defenses in the NFL, which is sure to be a fan favorite across the league this weekend.
The Detroit Lions appear to be getting all-star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown back into the fold after he missed last week, but will most likely be without their RB2 in first-round picky Jamyrr Gibbs. However, it has been the emergence of rookie TE Sam LaPorta that has been hot as of late so there are plenty of options for Jared Goff.
The Buccaneers defense has been the epitome of bend but don't break this season and look to be healthy coming into the one. They are one of the best in the league at shutting down the run and will need to do so to shut down the uber-hot David Montgomery.
If the Buccaneers are able to shut down the Lions run game - limiting the Lions to more passing downs - they should be able to come away with perhaps the biggest game of the year when it comes to the NFC conference picture. Give me the Buccaneers in this one on Creamsicle in a close battle.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-2
Buccaneers 24, Lions 21
JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)
Coming out of the bye week healthy is huge for this Buccaneers team. Sitting at 3-1 they are currently a top of the NFC South and one of the better teams in the NFC.
However, the Lions present a difficult matchup for the Bucs. They are a balanced team on offense and defense. They have a solid pass rush and can attack you on the ground or through the air. Rocking the creamsicles, if Tampa Bay can come away with a victory, they will further put the doubters to silence.
A win over the red-hot Lions will help the Bucs cement themselves as one of the top teams to beat in the NFC. Though Detroit is just a smidge better at this point.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-0
Lions 27, Buccaneers 24
Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)
The Buccaneers have continued to surprise this season, and they'll be energized coming off a bye week. Something that could rattle Jared Goff and the Lions would be turnovers, and the Buccaneers' defense is more than capable of taking the ball away.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Buccaneers 24, Lions 21
Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)
This will be an excellent matchup between the Lions and Buccaneers. On Defense, both teams are top 10 in total efficiency (EPA) and top half of the league in rushing and passing efficiency. While on offense both teams are top 10 in total efficiency, the Buccaneers rushing offense is 26th.
The key in this game for Tampa Bay will be whether or not they can overcome that or let Detroit swallow up their running attack. They do not need to be elite but if they can be better they will win this game. I think they will be with the bye and more time in this Canales offense.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Buccaneers 28, Lions 24
Cody Haynes (@codyh33)
The Bucs will have their hands full Sunday against an impressive Lions team. Dan Campbell has a ton of young talent on his team. Fortunately, there has been some positive news on this week’s injury report. The Bucs could be fully healthy this Sunday with how things are trending. If Evans plays I believe it will be a close game, if he doesn’t, it could be a big problem.
Either way, the defense will need to find ways to limit big plays from Montgomery and rookie tight end, Laporta. On the other side of the ball, slowing down Aidan Hutchinson needs to be their number-one priority. Get ready for a nail-biter.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Buccaneers 23, Lions 20
Matthew Hewitt (@bucs_tracker)
This is by far the Buccaneers' biggest test so far this season other than the Eagles. I think this game will come down to the team that plays the cleanest game when it comes to turnovers and penalties.
I think right now, the Lions are a little bit more of a balanced team so I have them pulling out a win in a high-scoring game.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-1
Lions 31, Buccaneers 28
CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (6-4)
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