NFL Tips: Lions roar past Buccaneers in 23/1 Sunday playoff punt

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions Bet Builder Tips

Sam LaPorta Any Time Touchdown
Baker Mayfield Over 260.5 Passing Yards
Rachaad White Any Time Touchdown
Total Points: Over 48.5
Handicap: Detroit -6.5

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions

Divisional Round Playoffs, Sunday, 8pm
Live on Sky Sports NFL

Any Time Touchdown: Sam LaPorta

The Detroit Lions win last week was significant for a number of reasons. It snapped one of the longest runs without a playoff win in US professional sports, Long Snapper Jake McQuaide was the only player on the team who had been born when Detroit beat the Dallas Cowboys in January 1992, but also because the game featured rookie Tight End Sam LaPorta who had been a major injury doubt.

LaPorta, 23, scored more touchdowns this season than any other player at his position and quickly became a trusted passing option for quarterback Jared Goff. The knee injury he sustained on the last day of the regular season looked to have ruled him out of the playoffs but he battled through, playing with a knee brace and now looks to be fully fit again. I’m backing LaPorta to score a short yardage touchdown again on Sunday against a Buccs team who will be focused on stopping the Lions excellent running back pair of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

Baker Mayfield Total Passing Yards: Over 260.5

Baker Mayfield is a man who has played his entire career with a huge chip on his shoulder, last season he lost his starting spot with the Carolina Panthers, this year he has taken on the task of replacing Tom Brady. This weekend will see him face a Detroit Lions team who have been terrible against the pass over the last month.

In all of Detroit’s last four games they have allowed over 340 passing yards and with the likes of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to throw too I’m backing Mayfield to cover his passing yards line of 253.5 with ease.

Any Time Touchdown Scorer: Rachaad White

Another asset for Mayfield in the passing game is running back Rachaad White. Only three running backs (Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey) caught more passes than White this season as he developed into a consistent every down player.

White is one of few offensive skill position players who is on the field for the whole time the Bucs have the ball and given the relatively leaky Lions defence he will be facing, 10th in the league in points allowed, he will certainly have chances to score.

Total Points: Over 48.5

White’s tenth touchdown of the season could well be one of many in what is shaping up to be a high scoring game. Mayfield and his teammates shredded the Eagles on Monday night on their way to a 32-9 victory and while the Detroit Lions boast the fifth highest scoring offence in the NFL this season.

Mayfield and Jared Goff are both former first overall picks who have been doubted in the past and will want to continue to repay the faith of their current coaches. In an indoor stadium I don’t expect any kicking mishaps either so the two teams to combine for over 48.5 points looks a good pick.

Handicap: Detroit -6.5

While the Bucs are riding high I am struggling to see a way forward for them this weekend. The Lions have an exceptional home record in 2023, winning six games by an average of 12 points per game and the home crowd will be wanting more of the same.

I’m expecting the Lions to get out to an early lead before the Buccs make a a come back but, with the game on the line, I’d expect the Lions to have just that little bit extra to win by a touchdown.