Free Press sports writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions (5-9) game vs. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) at Ford Field on Saturday (1 p.m., NFL Network and NBC in Detroit):
Carlos Monarrez
Will all due disrespect to backup interim head coach Robert Prince and to interim defensive play-caller Evan Rothstein, if the Lions somehow win this game, they should both get instant battlefield promotions. But that’s not happening against Tom Brady, who leads one of the NFL’s best passing and scoring offenses for a motivated Bucs team that – as coach Bruce Arians likes to is a “hat and T-shirt” game – can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie. Before the Lions had all their COVID-related coaching problems, I picked the Bucs to win, 28-20. Now I’m adding 10 points to the Bucs and taking 10 points away from the Lions. Pick: Buccaneers 38, Lions 10
THE LEGEND:Tom Brady’s NFL debut vs. Lions: Why wasn’t he wearing Honolulu Blue & Silver?
2021 ROSTER:Who should stay, who should go under next Lions GM
LIONS GM SEARCH:Why Louis Riddick makes sense — and why he doesn’t
Shawn Windsor
Matthew Stafford will play, so that should keep the game competitive early. But the Lions will be missing four defensive starters from a defense that already was struggling. Oh, and interim coach Darrell Bevell and several coaches are quarantined. Pick: Buccaneers 34, Lions 23
[ Why NFL refused to push back Saturday’s Lions vs. Buccaneers game ]
Dave Birkett
The Lions match up better against the Bucs than they did Tennessee, but with everything that has gone on this week – from Brayden Coombs’ firing to the COVID-related coaching staff changes – this game has the potential to be another rout. Perhaps the Lions keep it close early, during whatever feeling-out period there is with new play callers. But Tampa’s offense is too explosive, the Lions are too short-handed on defense and this week was too hectic for that to last. Brady and the Bucs can clinch a playoff spot with a victory, and I think they get it in relatively easy fashion. Pick: Buccaneers 38, Lions 21
