Lions vs. Buccaneers Betting Line
Away: Detroit Lions
Home: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When: Week 1. September 11, 2011. 1:00 pm ET. Televised on FOX.
Below are the latest Lions vs. Buccaneers betting lines. If you want to put a bet on this game now, BetOnline.com accepts US bettors and Visa credit cards for funding accounts. Bodog also welcomes US handicappers, but their NFL betting lines haven’t been posted yet. Click on any of the odds links or sportsbook logos to place a wager.
Latest Lions at Buccaneers Betting Lines: Week 1, 2011
Buccaneers vs. Lions Analysis & Prediction
The Detroit Lions (6-10 last year) will battle it out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6 last year) in week 1 of the 2011 – 2012 NFL season. These teams have been rebuilding in recent years, and both are primed for a breakout season. Detroit has done an excellent job drafting impact players, including Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley (Rookie). Matthew Stafford is also very talented, but he can’t seem to avoid injuries and that has really hurt his team.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a great shot at making the playoffs in 2011 – 2012. The Buc’s had a great season last year, but they’re in a very tough division that includes the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount helped put the Buccaneers offense on the map last season, and I expect big things from this trio again in 2011-2012. Tampa Bay played far better on the road (6-2) last year than at home (4-4), and that’ll need to change this season.
Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Point Spread
*Odds below are based on the time this article was written. The latest odds are in the table above.
At the BetOnline Sportsbook, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are favored by -1.5 (-110) on the point spread. +1.5 (-110) can be had on the Lions.
The point spread opened at -3 for the Bucs in this game, but it’s moved down to just -1.5 points at the time of this writing. Tampa Bay struggled at home last year, but I think they’ll play more inspired in front of their home fans this season. Detroit has a very good young team, but I think it’s going to take a game or two for the team to get in-sync. Stafford missed most of last season and he’s going to need some time to work the rust off.
I expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cover the spread as long as it remains under -2.5, so I like the -1.5 we can get right now. The Detroit Lions defense is scary this season, but the Buccaneers have great young talent with a ton of speed. I think the Bucs will be able to open up the field with Freeman escaping the pocket and looking for his favorite target, Mike Williams. This won’t be a pretty game and if it’s anything like the matchup between these two last season, this will be one of the more exciting week 1 games.
I’m betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the point spread at -1.5 -110 at BetOnline.com.
Buccaneers vs. Lions Money Line
The Buccaneers vs. Lions money line is currently at -135 for the Bucs and +115 for the Lions. I don’t recommend betting on the Buccaneers money line this week, as we’re better off taking the -1.5 point spread at -110 and saving the $.25.
If you think the Lions will win this home game straight-up, +115 adds a bit of value. I’m not totally against this bet, mainly because the Lions defense should be strong for week 1. If the Buccaneers offense isn’t firing on all cylinders, I can see the Lions winning this game.
Lions vs. Buccaneers Over/Under Betting Odds
Currently, the Lions vs. Buccaneers over/under is 41 (-110) on either side at the BetOnline Sportsbook.
I expect this to be a relatively low scoring game, with defenses getting the job done. The Lions offense aren’t likely to be their best in the 1st week of the season, and I also expect the Lions defense to pose problems for the Bucs offense. I like the under at 41 points in this game, even though it’s a low total.
Bet on Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As I’ve already mentioned, I like the Buccaneers at -1.5 points, and I also like the under 41 in this game. If you only want to bet on one outcome I’d go with the under. Last season, the Lions upset the Bucs and won 23-20 in overtime, but it was a fairly uneventful game in terms of scoring. I think we’ll see another defensive battle and I’m betting on the Bucs to win by the score of 20-17 or 17-13.
Best Point Spread Odds
Detroit Lions: +1.5 -110 at BetOnline, or +1.5 1.90 at Bet365.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -1.5 -110 at BetOnline, or -1.5 1.90 at Bet365.
Best Money Line Odds
Detroit Lions: +115 at BetOnline, or 2.05 at Bet365.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -135 at BetOnline, or 1.80 at Bet365.
Best Total (Over/Under) Odds
Over: 41 -110 at BetOnline.
Under: 41 -110 at BetOnline.
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