Former No. 1 Overall Picks Clash as Lions Face Buccaneers in NFC Divisional Round

Two former No. 1 overall picks, Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions and Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will go head-to-head in a highly anticipated NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday at Ford Field. Goff, who was selected as the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Rams, is now in his third season with the Lions. Mayfield, drafted No. 1 by the Browns in 2018, is now playing for his fourth NFL team. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

The Lions are coming into this game as a six-point favorite in the latest spread odds, with an over/under of 49.5 for total points scored. Before placing any bets, it’s worth considering the expert opinion of CBS Sports’ Fantasy and gambling editor, who has a strong track record of successful against-the-spread picks. With a solid 34-22-1 record on his last 57 against-the-spread picks involving the Lions, he has a keen sense of the team’s performance.

Both teams have key players to watch out for. Detroit’s defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson, has been on a pass-rushing roll lately. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he has managed to record multiple sacks in three consecutive games, setting a franchise record. His exceptional performance includes at least two sacks and five quarterback hits in each of these three games, a feat that hasn’t been seen in the league since 2006. Another player to watch is rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who has made a significant impact in the red zone with 11 receiving touchdowns this season, including the playoffs, second only to Mike Ditka.

On the other side, the Tampa Bay defense has been formidable over the past two months, allowing just 15.3 points per game since Week 13, ranking second in the league during that period. The Buccaneers are also 6-1 during this stretch. Furthermore, running back, , has emerged as a key player in Tom Brady’s offense, with the second-year back racking up 272 rushing attempts during the regular season, tying him for second in the league. In the Wild Card win against Philadelphia, he carried the ball 18 times for 72 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.

While the point total leans towards the Under, the expert analysis reveals a critical X-factor that favors one side of the spread. To find out who will come out on top in this NFC Divisional Round playoff game and to discover the decisive X-factor, stay tuned.