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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games when they take on the Detroit Lions Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
The Buccaneers (9-5) came back from a 17-0 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 31-27 on Sunday. Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady had a phenomenal game through the air with 390 passing yards and two touchdowns. One of Brady’s touchdown passes went to Antonio Brown, who had five receptions (seven targets) for 93 yards. Veteran running back Leonard Fournette provided the Bucs’ other two touchdowns and 49 yards.
Defensively, the Bucs struggled to stop Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who completed 34-of-49 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns. However, their run defense did a good job making the Falcons’ ground attack nonexistent. They held Atlanta to only 37 rushing yards and zero touchdowns.
As for the Lions (5-9), they got blown out 46-25 by the Tennessee Titans on the road. With the lost, Detroit has now lost four games in the last weeks. On Sunday, the Lions could not stop the duo of Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. Tannehill was an efficient 21-of-27 for 273 yards and three touchdowns. Hey also had two rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Henry had 147 rushing yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.
Offensively, Lions quarterback Matt Stafford was 22-of-32 for 252 yards and a touchdown. His lone touchdown pass went to Marvin Jones Jr., which were a part of 10 receptions (12 targets) for 112 yards and a touchdown. Lastly, rookie running back D’Andre Swift had a team-high 67 rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
TV Info
Date: Saturday, Dec. 26
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network
Broadcast map
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Bucs: #2 Overall — #5 offense, #5 defense, #24 special teams
Lions: #25 Overall — #14 offense, #32 defense, #15 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Bucs: -9.5, -420
Lions: +9.5, +340
Total: 54
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Bucs
Mike Evans, WR, $6,100
Mike Evans has been a favorite red zone target for Brady and that should continue on Saturday against the lackluster Lions’ secondary. Last week against the Falcons, Evans led the team in receiving with six receptions for 110 yards. Despite not scoring a touchdown, the veteran wideout still recorded 11 fantasy points, giving him four double-digit games in five weeks.
This week, he’ll be going against a Lions’ defense that has allowed 14 touchdowns and 26.9 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Leonard Fournette, RB, $5,500
If Ronald Jones isn't activated off of the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, then Leonard Fournette could be a solid fantasy play. Just like Adrian Peterson, Fournette’s value is dependent on touchdowns and touches inside the red zone. Four of Fournette’s five rushing touchdowns this season have come from inside the 20. This season, the Detroit Lions are giving up 25 total touchdowns and 27.1 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Lions
T.J. Hockenson, TE, $4,600
After being held out of the end zone last week against the Titans, Hockenson will try to score a touchdown on Saturday afternoon. The second-year tight end has been a weekly top-10/top-15 selection in fantasy football this season. Last week, Hockenson only had two receptions (four targets) for 18 yards. It was just the fourth time this season that the young tight end was held to two receptions. This weekend, he’ll face a Buccaneers defense that has allowed eight touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season.
Marvin Jones, WR, $4,900
If the Bucs shut down the Lions’ running game, then they might have to turn to the passing game. That might be an opportunity for Marvin Jones Jr. to continue his solid play during the second half of the regular season. In last week’s blowout loss, Jones scored 17.2 fantasy points for the second time in three games. On Saturday, he’ll get a chance to score double-digits again versus a Bucs defense that has allowed 16 touchdowns and 25 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.