


The Lions are in uncharted territory ahead of Sunday’s divisional round contest against the Buccaneers.
As of Saturday afternoon, Detroit is a 6-point home favorite over Tampa Bay, a number unprecedented in the franchise’s playoff history.
It’s the largest favorite the Lions have been in the postseason since sports betting was legalized in Nevada in 1949, according to ESPN Stats & Information, surpassing a game in 1970 against the Cowboys when Detroit was a 4-point favorite.
Dallas came out on top 5-0 in that game, one of three in NFL history to end at that exact score.
“They haven’t been favorites in the playoffs for sure, but they haven’t been in the playoffs that much,” DraftKings director of race and sports operations Johnny Avello said, per ESPN. “The team has just not had many opportunities.”
If the Lions can take down the Buccaneers on Sunday, it will be the first time since 1957 that they won multiple playoff games in a single postseason.
It’s the first time Detroit has hosted two games in a single playoff run.
The Lions reached the divisional round after winning a 24-23 nail-biter over the Rams.
Detroit was a 3- or 3.5-point favorite in that game, depending on the sportsbook.
Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have been the best team against the spread over the last three seasons, going 35-17.
Something has to give on Sunday, though, as both the Lions and Buccaneers are 12-6 ATS this season, including playoffs, which are tied for the best mark in the league.
The public is all-in on Detroit to win the game, with 76 percent of bets and 73 percent of the money on the Lions moneyline, per Action Network.
The results are a little more mixed against the spread, where the Lions are getting 59 percent of the handle but just 48 percent of the bets as of this writing.