Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions: 5 Bold predictions for Week 16 matchup

Bold predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions in Week 16.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be sitting with a 9-5 record entering the final two weeks fo the 2020 NFL season but they often haven’t looked like that. So as they ready for a push into the playoffs, there may not be a more welcomed sight than Ford Field, where they visit on Saturday in Week 16 for a key game against the Detroit Lions.

Matthew Stafford and the Lions have shown promise at times but there’s a reason former head coach Matt Patricia was let go. This team is inconsistent and downright bad on defense. That’s just the type of matchup Tom Brady and the Buccaneers want to see to get things right, especially after needing to come back against the Falcons last week.

So with that in mind, let’s make five bold predictions for Saturday’s Week 16 matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

5. Fournette scores twice again for second straight week

Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones II has already been ruled out for Saturday’s game, which means that Leonard Fournette is set to get the majority of the touches again this week. And while he wasn’t ultra successful from an efficiency standpoint last week, he did find the end zone twice.

Fournette should be able to average more yards per touch in Week 16 against the Lions but, if nothing else, he’ll find the end zone twice again. Tampa should be able to move the ball relatively well in this game, which should put them in the red zone for Fournette to punch it in.

4. Stafford, Jones connect for pair of TDs for Detroit Lions

The state of the Lions right now isn’t great with the likes of Kenny Golladay injured, among a long list of others. But last week against Tennessee, we saw Stafford and veteran Marvin Jones Jr. have a big day with a 10-112-1 line. Tampa Bay’s secondary has been shaky as of late and, with T.J. Hockenson likely bottled up by a great linebacker group, the quarterback will look Jones’ way twice and find him for two touchdowns on the day.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers sack Stafford 4+ times

Among the injuries previously mentioned is an offensive line for Detroit that’s extremely banged up. Tyrell Crosby is out while Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker and  Halapoulivaati Vaitai are all listed as questionable.

Going up against this vaunted Buccaneers pass rush, having an offensive line operating at less than 100 percent is not ideal. Tampa defensive coordinator will take advantage of this, brining plenty of pressure and ultimately bringing Stafford down to the turf four or more times on Saturday.

2. Brady finds both AB and Gronk for TDs

Last week’s come-from-behind win against Atlanta saw Brady really turn it up in the second half. And the comeback was punctuated with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Antonio Brown on a 46-yard play. Don’t expect Brady to look away from his two most familiar targets in such a big game for Tampa.

Both Brown and Rob Gronkowksi have flashed but have not been consistent forces this season. Yet, with the Lions defense so depleted right now due to injury, both players have distinct matchup advantages. Not only should both players find the end zone in this game but they should also put up nice yardage totals as well.

1. Bucs thrash Lions by 17+ points

This is the time when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to make a statement, not to the rest of the league but to themselves. A team this talented should not be having to play from behind and come back in the manner they have recently. They’ll change that on Saturday.

In a favorable matchup and with a fire likely lit underneath Brady, expect Bruce Arians’ team to come out looking to punish the Detroit Lions simply for being on the same field as them. Playing in a dome with ideal conditions, the Bucs are going to notch their first wholly impressive victory in quite some time.