Bucs (7-3) at Lions (0-10)
Is this it, is this the week the Detroit Lions finally break through? Don’t laugh, but it’s very possible. However, Tampa Bay is a 7.5-point favorite on WagerWeb.com.
While the Bucs have won four of the past five meetings, the Lions did beat them 23-16 last year. In addition, no team knows the Bucs as well as Detroit. That’s because Detroit coach Rod Marinelli was an assistant under Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay before taking the Lions job. He has surrounded himself with former Bucs coaches and players.
However, the Lions will have to improve their rush defense, which is one of the worst in the league and allowed 250 yards rushing in a loss to the Panthers last week. They have given up eight rushing touchdowns in their last three games.
The Bucs are a bit depleted at running back, with 33-year-old Warrick Dun, who has 476 rushing yards so far this year, to be the feature back with Earnest Graham done for the year. In addition, Cadillac Williams could make his season debut for Tampa.
The Bucs are 4-1 since Jeff Garcia regained the starting quarterback job he lost when he played poorly in a season-opening defeat. Garcia was 23 of 30 for 255 yards with no turnovers in last week’s win against the Vikings. The one-time Lion has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in his last five games.
Still, it’s the Buc defense that steers this ship, and that unit has allowed the fewest TDs in the NFC. Tampa Bay also has allowed just one rushing TD this year.
One bright spot for Detroit has been rookie RB Kevin Smith, who turned in his first 100-yard game against a very good Carolina defense last week. Smith has rushed for 245 yards and two scores in his last three games.
If it comes down to a late field goal, Detroit is in good shape. Jason Hanson, a 17-year veteran, is 6-for-6 on field goals of 50 yards or more and 13-of-14 overall. His only “miss” was a blocked field goal.
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