The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to play spoiler Sunday when they face the Detroit Lions in front of what is expected to be a raucous crowd.
Ticket prices are through the roof for the game, sitting at $454 just to get in the door.
Though most of the NFL community will be rooting for the Lions, the line has gotten a little out of hand, with Tampa Bay coming in at +7 on the road.
Neither defense is particularly strong either; the total sits at 48.5 this weekend.
I’m expecting a high-scoring matchup where either team could come out on top, pending turnovers and other variance.
Below, I break down the best player prop bets ahead of the Buccaneers-Lions divisional-round matchup.
Buccaneers vs. Lions player props and picks
Mike Evans Over 65.5 receiving yards (-125, Fanatics) | 150+ receiving yards (12/1, Bet365)
The Lions’ pass defense is not good. They allowed the most passing yards in the NFL over the past eight weeks of the regular season — an astonishing reality.
Meanwhile, Mike Evans dropped two long passes last week that would’ve clearly inflated his receiving total last week.
He ended with 48 yards but could’ve cleared 100 yards if he brought in what would’ve been a 60-yard touchdown. He is your prototypical deep play threat and someone who will be heavily relied on in a game that profiles as high-scoring and a negative game script for Tampa Bay.
Smash his ladder on overs, up to 150+ yards, which he accomplished twice during the regular season.
Baker Mayfield Over 251.5 passing yards (-114, BetRivers) | 350+ passing yards (+850, Bet365)
Read above about the Lions’ secondary.
Call me not creative, but money is money and there’s plenty to be made fading the Lions’ pass defense.
Feel free to same-game parlay the higher end of these props for a mega-long shot.
- Same-Game-Parlay: Mayfield 350+ passing yards + Evans 150+ receiving yards pays out at 25/1 on Bet365.
Betting on the NFL?
Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 89.5 receiving yards (-114, Caesars) | 125+ receiving yards (+300, Bet365)
The Buccaneers’ run defense is among the best in the NFL, but where they struggle is against the pass. Tampa Bay allowed the most passing yards in the NFL during the regular season.
This would lead to a solid over spot for Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is over this number in 12 of his 17 games.
His 125+ number is more than fine on Bet365, while other books have it closer to +200.
Back the Lions’ elite receiver with confidence in an expected high-scoring affair.
