Take a look at our Lions vs Bucs predictions with free expert picks for today’s Monday Night Football contest! Our expert Justin Carlucci is here to discuss his favorite NFL player props and betting angles for this gigantic NFC clash.
Lions vs Buccaneers odds:
- Spread: Lions -7
- Total 53.5
- Moneyilne: -285/+230
Editor’s Note: Check out our NFL hub for free player props and picks!
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Lions vs Bucs Predictions Today- Monday Night Football
We’ve got two legitimate Super Bowl contenders, elite quarterback play on both sides, and enough injury chaos to make your head spin. Let’s break down what actually matters for your betting card.
Detroit Lions Predicions and Preview
The Lions sit at 4-2 coming off a 30-17 loss to Kansas City in Week 6, and while that record sounds solid, they’re actually trailing Green Bay (3-1-1) in the NFC North.
The Packers’ .700 winning percentage edges Detroit’s .667 despite the Lions having more total wins. But make no mistake—this offense is still video game stuff.
Jared Goff leads all qualified NFL passers with a 75.2% completion rate through Week 6, sitting around 1,390 yards and 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. That’s not a typo. The dude’s been surgical all season, and his efficiency sets up well for primetime at home.
The running game features David Montgomery as the proven workhorse—334 yards and 4 touchdowns on a ridiculous 5.1 yards per carry through six games.
Montgomery exploded for 151 yards and 2 scores on 12 carries against Baltimore earlier this season, showing he’s built for the big stage. Jahmyr Gibbs provides the speed element in this two-back committee, though his exact season numbers are tough to pin down.
Amon-Ra St. Brown sits at 44 catches for 452 yards and 6 touchdowns through six games. He’s Goff’s security blanket, especially in those critical third-down situations where this offense has been elite all year.
Detroit’s averaging 31.8 points per game (second in the NFL) and they’re putting up 43 points per game at Ford Field specifically when you look at their home games. Dan Campbell’s aggressive philosophy means they’re not playing scared, and that home crowd brings serious energy.
The concern? This defense just gave up 30 to Kansas City, and we’re about to get to the injury carnage in the secondary that makes tonight’s matchup absolutely wild.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions and Preview
The Bucs are 5-1 with the NFC’s best record, and Baker Mayfield has turned into a legitimate MVP candidate. Let that sink in for a second—Baker Mayfield is getting MVP buzz.
Mayfield’s completing 66.2% of his passes for 1,539 yards with a 12:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio through six games. That ratio is insane. More importantly, he’s engineered four game-winning drives already this season—including last-minute heroics that won games in the final seconds against Houston, Atlanta, and the Jets.
The clutch factor is real. Tampa Bay became the first team in Super Bowl history to win their first four games with game-winning scores in the final minute. That’s not luck—that’s execution and composure in tight spots.
Here’s where it gets wild for betting purposes: Tampa Bay’s averaging 27.5 points per game and just beat San Francisco 30-19 in Week 6. They’re finding ways to win games, and Mayfield’s ball security (just one pick all season) means they’re not beating themselves with turnovers.
The receiving situation is a mess with injuries, but when healthy weapons aren’t available, Mayfield just elevates whoever’s on the field. That 30-19 win over the 49ers proves the offense can still function even when dealing with injury issues.
The Bucs would be 6-1 with a win tonight, cementing themselves as the clear NFC favorite. They’ve shown they can win on the road and in hostile environments.
Monday Night Football Inury Report
Detroit’s secondary is decimated. Starting safety Brian Branch is suspended one game for a postgame altercation with Kansas City. Starting safety Kerby Joseph is out with a knee injury. Starting cornerback Terrion Arnold can’t play with a shoulder issue. Backup Avonte Maddox is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
That’s four defensive backs ruled OUT, with only one starter from the original five-man rotation available. Dan Campbell’s rolling out backup corners Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson with practice squad callups at safety. This unit already gave up 30 to Patrick Mahomes—now they’re facing an MVP candidate without 80% of their starting secondary.
Tampa Bay’s injury situation centers on receivers. Chris Godwin is out with a fibula injury. The critical decisions involve Mike Evans (hamstring) and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)—both questionable.
Adam Schefter reports Evans is “likely to play” after practicing fully Saturday. He’s chasing his 12th consecutive 1,000-yard season (currently at 140 yards) and knows this stage matters.
Egbuka has “a real chance to play” per sources, dealing with a low-grade hamstring after limited Saturday work.
Lions vs Bucs Predictions & Props – Free Expert Picks
You can play these free expert picks at Underdog Fantasy.
Mike Evans – Long Reception Higher Than 23.5
The Lions play a ton of single-high coverage. Against the type of look last season, Evans ranked top 15 in the NFL in air yard share, which was north of 40%.
Evans is coming off an injury, but the Bucs are missing a ton of bodies, including Chris Godwin, and we’re not sure if Emeka Egbuka will play.
I also like Evans to score a touchdown on any platform that offers that market.
Jameson Williams – Higher than 49.5 Receivng Yards
Its been a miserable start to 2025 for Williams, but in theory, this is an amazing matchup. Tampa Bay is a pass-funnel defense – they typically sell out to stop the run.
Additionally, the Bucs are unsurprisngly giving up a high perceneage of targets to players ilned up out wide, which is where Williams runs a majority of his routes.
