Predictions: Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFC divisional round
Nolan Bianchi, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer predictions for Sunday's NFC division-round game between the Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field in Detroit (3 p.m., NBC/97.1).
▶ Nolan Bianchi: The Lions are one win away from reaching the NFC Championship game, a scenario that was possible all along, but one that was hard to fully believe until seeing them beat the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field on Sunday night. Detroit has been battle-tested and scarred — but so has its opponent, making this a super-intriguing matchup in the divisional round. The Lions have gotten much healthier since their win at Tampa in Week 6, but the Bucs have developed competence on both sides of the ball to become a playoff team. Ultimately, it feels as though home-field advantage will play a huge difference in this game, as it did a week ago against the Rams. On an extra day of rest, the Lions should have the edge in this one. Pick: Lions, 27-14
▶ John Niyo: It’s hard to know what to make of that first meeting in Tampa, because the Lions were missing some key contributors on both sides of the ball. Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, kept missing his downfield targets. No surprise, then, that Lions coach Dan Campbell stressed all week the importance of limiting the Bucs’ explosive plays in the passing game, in particular, to Mike Evans. But I’d also worry about the matchup Chris Godwin draws in coverage, and the speed of Trey Palmer, as well. I do think the Lions’ more aggressive blitzing strategy will pay off in a turnover or two from Mayfield, though. And without much of a threat from Tampa’s run game, that should be enough for the Lions to produce another win at Ford Field. Jahmyr Gibbs will be a difference-maker out of the backfield, and the best offensive line in the playoff field will give Jared Goff enough time to do some damage. Pick: Lions, 31-24
▶ Justin Rogers: It's all gravy from here. The Lions accomplished their primary goal of the season, winning their division. Then they did what they were supposed to do in the wild-card round, with the home game that comes with that NFC North crown, knocking off the Rams and former quarterback Matthew Stafford. No matter what happens this weekend, Year 3 of the Campbell/Holmes era was a success. But it feels like a gift to get the NFC South-champion Buccaneers in the divisional round. Don't mistake that as me suggesting this game is a lock, because it's not. Tampa Bay has potent pass-game weapons, plus a defense that is stout against the run and capable of wreaking havoc with the blitz. But we've already seen this movie, in Week 6, so we know the Lions can beat this opponent, even when missing a number of key pieces (Brian Branch, Jahymr Gibbs, Jonah Jackson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all missed the first meeting). Now you move the setting to Detroit, where the Ford Field faithful understand the assignment? Yeah, give me the Lions to ride this thing to the NFC Championship. Pick: Lions 27, Bucs 22
▶ Bob Wojnowski: It can’t get any tighter or louder than it was last week, can it? Well, the stakes are even higher, and the Buccaneers present unique challenges. Todd Bowles’ defense blitzes crazily, and Jared Goff (like most quarterbacks) is susceptible to it. But Goff’s smarts and accuracy, and the Lions’ stellar offensive line, provide the antidote. On the other side, Baker Mayfield revived his career and has standout receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to attack the Lions’ secondary. Aidan Hutchinson’s pass rush has been scorching, and he’ll be set loose on Mayfield, who still can flash the talent that made him a No. 1 overall pick. These aren’t the same Bucs that lost to the Lions, 20-6, in Tampa, and their crushing of the Eagles last week should serve as a warning. The Bucs are good at stuffing the run, so Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams will bust the blitz with big plays and the Lions will slice through the clamor again. (Earplugs for the kids, please!) Pick: Lions, 24-16