NFL Odds Divisional Playoff Round: Buccaneers vs Lions Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Divisional Playoff Round: Buccaneers vs Lions lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

The NFL Playoffs continue Sunday mid-afternoon a matchup between division winners in the NFC as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Detroit Lions. The betting odds see Tampa as a 6.5-point road underdog despite cruising to an upset victory over Philly last week. Coverage begins from Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, January 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions Odds

• Opening point spread: Lions -6
• Opening moneyline: Lions -260/Buccaneers -220
• Opening total: Over/Under 47.5 points scored
• Time: 3 p.m. ET Sunday (NBC)

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET SUNDAY: An hour before kickoff, the Lions are laying 6 points at BetMGM. On Monday night, Detroit opened -6 (-115), then Tuesday advanced to -6.5. Friday night brought a move back to -6 flat, where the line stuck throughout the weekend.

Spread tickets are running 2.5/1 and spread money 3/1-plus on the Lions. Moneyline play is closer to two-way, with 54% of tickets on underdog Tampa Bay and 64% of money on Detroit.

"We'll need the Bucs badly today. It's already and will continue to be very lopsided Lions bets," BetMGM trader Christian Cipollini, noting a Lions win/Bucs cover would be sufficient.

The total opened at 48.5 and stuck there most of the week before going to 49 (Over -120) Friday. It's now at 49.5, with 63% of tickets/80% of money on the Over.

The player prop taking the most tickets is Lions running back David Montgomery Anytime Touchdown (-120). In the First TD Scorer market, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (+800) is getting the most tickets.

Interestingly, in the Anytime TD market, Lions defense/special teams +700 is taking the fourth-most tickets.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Lions hit TwinSpires' NFL odds Divisional Playoff Round market as 5.5-point home favorites. Detroit has since advanced to -6 and -6.5, while attracting 55% of early bets/67% of early cash.

"It's a mix of public and sharp play on the Lions. Finally, a 'dog we'll need," Lucas said of the Bucs.

The total opened at 48.5 and just went to 49 at TwinSpires. The Over is seeing 57% of bets/63% of cash.

UPDATE 11:15 P.M. ET MONDAY: After 32 long years, Detroit (13-5 SU and ATS) ended its playoff win drought – barely. The Lions fended off the Los Angeles Rams 24-23 on Sunday night.

Jared Goff and Co. failed to cover as 3-point home favorites, ending a 4-0 ATS streak.

Somewhat stunningly, Detroit will next host Tampa Bay (10-8 SU/11-7 ATS). The Bucs, a team that needed every game to win the extremely mediocre NFC South, knocked out the defending NFC champs Monday night.

Tampa stymied Philadelphia all game long, rolling to a 32-9 victory as a 3-point home underdog. The Bucs are on upswings of 6-1 SU and 5-1 ATS.

The SuperBook opened Bucs-Lions at Detroit -6 on the NFL Divisional Playoff odds board.

"Tampa impressed everybody with the win over Philly, and the Lions held on against the Rams," Michaelson said. "A much more decisive victory for Tampa equals the line shaded in their direction."

The total opened at 47.5 and immediately moved to 48.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Divisional Playoff Round Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Buccaneers vs Lions Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Again, we want rushing unders and passing overs here. Detroit may not be quite as stark, since the Lions have two good backs and the far better rushing attack and may also be playing with a lead. Still, it's hard not to like Amon-Ra St. Brown to have another big game.

St. Brown has caught 90 yards in 11-of-17 games already this season, hitting this over 65% of the time. That includes a monster line against the Bucs, with 12 catches for 124 yards and a score on 15 targets. These pass defenses allowed the third and fourth-most yards to receivers this season, and the Bucs have allowed 10 WRs already to hit 100 yards, plus three more at 90+ that would hit this prop.

Yards are always a bit less predictable with ARSB so I typically prefer receptions, but at 7.5 receptions that's a tough line that offers little value. I don't mind adding 6+ catches to a parlay boost — it's -350 but he's done it in all but three games — otherwise, I'd rather sprinkle 10+ catches at +270 (bet365) or even 12+ catches if your book offers it, since he's done that three times, with one of those against the Bucs.

Pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 89.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Divisional Round Playoffs: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Buccaneers vs Lions

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield is 3-0 ATS in his playoff career.

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Divisional Round Playoffs Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson