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By Gabe Smallson
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Detroit Lions in the first of a Monday Night Football doubleheader to close out Week 7 of the NFL season.
Although both teams were dealing with their share of injuries, the Bucs are coming off a win against the San Francisco 49ers to improve to 5-1, as the 4-2 Lions notched four wins in a row after dropping their season opener, but fell to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football last week.
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The Lions and their high-flying offense are led by quarterback Jared Goff, who led the NFL in touchdown passes and completion percentage going into Week 7. Detroit had the second-fewest turnovers going into this week with three, and is ninth in the league in total yards with 2,122.
Trailing the Lions with 2,121 total yards are the Buccaneers. They are also tied for the fewest turnovers in football, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs at just two. Tampa Bay is led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who leads the league with four 4th quarter comebacks this season.
Which NFC powerhouse will take the first game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader? The staff at Newsweek Sports has some insight.
Noah Camras: The Buccaneers and Lions MNF showdown should make for one of the best games of the season. These two high-powered offenses will go back and forth all night, with the winner likely being the team that can get the final stop. That will be the Lions, who escape with an electric win.
Prediction: Lions 34, Buccaneers 30
Aaron Coloma: The Buccaneers' high-powered offense heads into Week 7 with more options than they had against the 49ers last week. Mike Evans will take the field for the first time since Week 3, and Emeka Egbuka could make a return from the hamstring injury he suffered against the 49ers last week. With even more tools at his disposal, MVP hopeful Baker Mayfield could very well take this game from the 4-2 Lions — even on the road.
Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Lions 30
Gabe Smallson: Detroit's galvanizing offense, led by Jared Goff's 14 touchdowns and a 75.9 percent completion percentage (both leading the NFL), will prove to be too much for Tampa Bay. With that being said, the Buccaneers are the hottest team in the league and, despite their injuries, are going to put up a fight with Baker Mayfield and his 12 touchdowns, one interception, and four comeback wins.
Prediction: Lions 38, Buccaneers 31
Nelson Espinal: The Buccaneers are heading into Monday night rolling under the leadership of Baker Mayfield, who is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, they are going up against a Lions team that is humming offensively and getting healthier on defense. The Lions lost against the Chiefs on Sunday Night last week, but that loss is aging better as Kansas City finds its gear. The Lions have more ways to win against a banged-up Bucs team. Look for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to run all over the second level of the Bucs defense.
Prediction: Lions 33, Buccaneers 24
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