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Detroit Lions (0-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 11, 2011
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Broadcast: FOX
Lions vs. Bucs Betting Lines:
Spread: Tampa Bay -1
Moneyline: Lions +100, Bucs -120
Total: 41 points
Believe it or not, one of the better matchups on the Week 1 schedule is a showdown of young, talented athletic teams. The Detroit Lions led by a hopefully healthy Matthew Stafford visit last year’s surprise team led by Josh Freeman. A little intrigue ahead of this game – the Lions beat the Bucs last year in Week 15 to essentially kill Tampa’s playoff aspirations.
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Detroit is stacked on offense provided that Matt Stafford stays healthy. This offense was potent last season with Drew Stanton and Shawn Hill at the helm and without Jahvid Best who was injured as well. Now with Stafford healthy and looking stellar in the preseason, the Lions are suddenly the sexy pick to break through this season. Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew are Studs and Nate Burleson is perhaps the most underrated WR’s in the league.
Defense may be the difference in this game. Ndamakong Suh, all pro defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, linebacker Stephen Tulloch, and rookie Nick Fairley (if he is healthy enough to play) will be a strong test for Freeman and the Bucs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the youngest team in the NFL. Raheem Morris has done a magnificent job of getting this team to a high level. Josh Freeman in his rookie year threw 27 touchdowns while throwing ONLY 4 interceptions. The dude knows how to play the game. Mike Williams is an elite WR talent and Kellen Winslow continues to stabilize this offense. LeGarrette Blount is an emerging superstar who rushed for 110 yards in the meeting between the two sides in their last matchup. With one year together under their belt, this offense should be even better this season.
***Update – LeGarrette Blount is on the injury report and may sit this weekend***
While the Lions offense oozes talent and potential, Tampa Bay has an aging Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib to contend with.
Betting Outlook: The Lions were a good team last year as were the Bucs but only one team had a winning record. The Lions lost 3 of their first four games by only 10 total points, and ended the year on an impressive four game winning streak that featured wins over 3 teams with .500 records or better when they played them. Matt Stafford makes them infinitely better. Look for the Lions to make a statement in this game in a high scoring affair. With offenses on display, it will be the better overall defensive team that wins – that decision is easy.
The odds makers have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a -1 point favorite with an over/under of 41.
Pick: Detroit Lions +1
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Detroit Lions Betting Trends:
- Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of Detroit’s last 13 games
- Detroit is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games
- Detroit is 2-23 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tampa Bay’s last 23 games
- Tampa Bay is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games at home
- Tampa Bay is 4-15 ATS in its last 19 games at home
- Tampa Bay is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
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