TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-8) VS. DETROIT LIONS (6-6)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1:00 P.M. ET
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
NETWORK TELEVISION: FOX
PLAY-BY-PLAY: KENNY ALBERT ANALYST: RONDE BARBER SIDELINE: KRISTINA PINK
BUCS RADIO: 98ROCK, FLAGSHIP STATION (WXTB-97.9 FM)
PLAY-BY-PLAY: GENE DECKERHOFF ANALYST: DAVE MOORE SIDELINE: T.J. RIVES
LAST GAME: TAMPA BAY LOST AT GREEN BAY, 26-20 (OT); DETROIT LOST AT BALTIMORE, 44-20

PewterReport.com Publisher and Bucs Beat Writer Scott Reynolds
I got close in last week’s prediction, suggesting that the Packers would win, 30-19. The actual score was a 26-20 defeat in overtime at Green Bay. I even picked a tight end as the Pick To Click. I just picked the wrong one – O.J. Howard instead of Cameron Brate. I should have known better. Winston and Brate have a great rapport, especially in the red zone.

I think DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans have the chance to have a big game this week whenever they are matched up with cornerback Nevin Lawson. Darius Slay is Detroit’s best cornerback and will likely draw Evans in coverage. Whoever is on Lawson, who does not have an interception in four seasons in the league, needs to be targeted by Jameis Winston.

The Bucs offense sees the return of Doug Martin this week, but is that even necessary with the way Peyton Barber has been running the ball in his absence? Barber had two short-yardage touchdowns in the team’s 34-20 loss at Atlanta and then erupted for a career-high 102 yards rushing with four catches for 40 yards at Green Bay last week. Martin, who is a Dirk Koetter favorite, hasn’t had a 100-yard game over two years, will likely start and Barber’s role will likely be reduced this week, which is a shame if it happens. It’s time to turn the page on Martin, who probably won’t be in Tampa Bay next year and get Barber, who is really a third-string running back, more experience.

Running the ball will be tough sledding against Detroit with massive defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and A’Shawn Robinson. That’s 662 pounds of beef that will make running up the middle behind undersized center Joe Hawley and undersized guard Evan Smith challenging. From a pass protection standpoint, the key matchup won’t be left tackle Donovan Smith versus defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. It’s actually going to be Detroit left end Anthony Zettel, whom I loved coming out of Notre Dame, going against Kevin Pamphile, who is expected to play right tackle this week. Zettel has 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble to lead the Lions.

Detroit has a big offensive line, but like Tampa Bay, struggles to open up holes in the running game. Ameer Abdullah is banged up and only has 332 yards on the year to lead the Lions. Theo Riddick is a good pass-catching running back coming out of the backfield and will test the Bucs’ linebackers in coverage.

The Lions offense centers around quarterback Matthew Stafford and his ability to throw the ball to receivers Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, Jr., and tight end Eric Ebron. Stafford has a right hand injury, which could affect his ability to throw the ball. He’s listed as questionable, but is expected to play. Expect Detroit to target second-year cornerback Ryan Smith in coverage. Having defensive end Robert Ayers back should help Tampa Bay’s pass rush, as getting pressure on Stafford is critical for success this week.

In last week’s 2-Point Conversion, I predicted a Bucs win. I don’t really know why they’ll beat a 6-6 Lions team that is fighting for a playoff spot, but Tampa Bay does play better at home defensively, and that’s the key.
Reynolds’ Score Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Lions 20
Reynolds’ Pick To Click: WR DeSean Jackson

PewterReport.com Editor and Bucs Beat Writer Mark Cook
This team just seems to find ways to break the hearts of their fans. Last it was a decent offensive game and a pretty dominating performance from the defense. Only to see it all fall apart in overtime. Fluke fumbles. Bad penalties. Questionable coaching decisions. All of these things were reasons the Bucs lost 26-20 to Green Bay last Sunday. And if those types of miscues continue, fans and the organization are staring down the barrel of a 4-12 season.

Good news is it has to get better. Right? Well we will see on Sunday as the Lions come to town. I would like to say I would feel better if Matthew Stafford is unavailable to go with a hand injury, but this Bucs team tends to have a knack for making backups look like Tom Brady. So scratch that thought.

The Lions are an okay football team, with an outstanding quarterback. Other than that looking at their roster it is rather ho-hum. Not too much to get excited about or even fear for that matter. Despite a 4-8 record, I will maintain the Bucs are the better team. I do see it being somewhat close unless the Bucs defense can find a pass rush somehow. Maybe the return of Robert Ayers sparks something. Maybe Stafford’s hand injury causes him to take some sacks that maybe he normally wouldn’t. Maybe the ball just bounces the Bucs way and the refs don’t call ridiculous penalties at the worst possible time. A lot of maybes, but if so, I see this game going in the Bucs favor.

Doug Martin returns, but I can’t imagine Peyton Barber getting the bulk of the carries on Sunday. It has been two full years since Martin rushed for 100 yards or more, and both Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers have done it since Martin’s last big game. I understand the whole, you don’t lose your job to injury thing, but at this point it should clearly be based on performance and I am not sure how Koetter and his staff can keep Barber on the sideline. Unless Martin rips off a 75-yard TD on his first carry. Of course I could also win the lottery tonight or get a call from Kate Upton that she is ready to date me.

We talked earlier this season about must-win games. Well this is another. No, not because of the playoff race, as the Bucs are out of that, but instead it is a must win for the coaching staff. It is a must win for the organization. Because if they don’t win this one, where does another win all season come from? Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans? Yeah. I don’t think so either. While this game if won doesn’t mean they win another either, it at least keeps hope live that this team hasn’t mailed it in.

So the Bucs win this game as the two teams trade touchdowns late and then the “Irish assassin” ( I just made that up) who is also our featured guest at Ford’s Garage on Monday night (shameless plug) kicks a 51 yarder in windy conditions to give the Bucs the win on the final play.
Cook’s Score Prediction: Bucs win 27-24
Cook’s Pick to Click: Pat Murray

PewterReport.com Beat Writer Trevor Sikkema
Earlier this week we took a look at where Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was on his path to living up to the No. 1 pick compared to some of the other No. 1 pick quarterbacks over the last 10 years. It was determined by stats, results, projections and availability that Winston was more ahead of the curve than Sam Bradford, but not quite as up to speed as the man Winston will be facing off against this Sunday, Matthew Stafford.