Buccaneers vs Lions Divisional Round Player Props and NFL Bets: Evans Torments Detroit's Secondary

Prop bet #1: Goff goes off

Last weekend’s victory over Los Angeles was huge for Jared Goff, as the Detroit Lions quarterback beat his former team, ended Detroit’s playoff misery, and proved himself again as a winning postseason QB.

This looks like a favorable matchup for the hosts, and I’ve circled the Goff completions prop as a must-have against this Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. 

He went 22-for-27 against the Rams, but I see the Lions needing to tweak the gameplan a little against a Tampa Bay defensive line that can gobble up running backs. The Bucs held the Philadelphia Eagles to just 42 rushing yards in the Wildcard Round.

Goff threw 44 passes when these teams met in Week 6, completing 30 of them for 353 yards. A repeat of that might be a stretch, but I like his chances of getting close to that figure.

While the Lions are still going to try to establish the run with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, I expect the approach to tilt toward the passing game and talented targets like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Josh Reynolds.

Only three teams allowed more passing yards per game than Tampa Bay during the regular season, and I’ve seen enough from that secondary to feel good about Goff connecting with his receivers.

Jared Goff prop: Over 23.5 completions (-130 at bet365)

Prop bet #2: Magic Mike

Throw out last week’s dud from Mike Evans. After a terrific season — 1,255 receiving yards and 13 TDs — he dropped the kind of touchdown pass against the Eagles that he usually snares. On another day, he could have easily gone past 100 yards.

Instead, Evans ended up with three receptions for 48 yards. That’s below par by his high standards, but I’m picking Evans for a bounce-back game here.

The Lions have some flaws in the secondary and a big, physical receiver like Evans should be chomping at the bit after seeing Puka Nakua finish with nine grabs for 181 yards in the Wildcard Round.

Mayfield looked great slinging the ball down the field against Philadelphia, and it’ll be a similar formula for the visitors here. Their best path to 20+ points is to test the back-line of this Detroit defense.

Evans can make tough catches, and he had at least one reception of 20+ yards in 11 of his outings this year. I see him rebounding in style on Sunday.

Mike Evans prop: Over 72.5 receiving yards (-114 at FanDuel) 50% live boost available

Prop bet #3: Sam scores again

Against the Rams, Sam LaPorta showed he’s a dangerous red zone weapon even with a banged-up knee. It’s been an outstanding rookie year for LaPorta, and another week of rest should allow him to be a bigger part of the offense here than he was in the Wildcard Round.

It’s around the goal line where LaPorta is the biggest difference-maker. He’s the ideal complement to the craftiness of St. Brown and the shiftiness of Gibbs — and he gives Goff a big target in mismatches. While LaPorta only had four catches against the Bucs in Week 6, Goff looked his way 11 times.

LaPorta finished the regular season with 10 touchdowns, then added another last Sunday with a perfect route on a 4th and 1 play. I see Detroit moving the ball with its aerial attack and I like these odds for LaPorta to create separation in the end zone again against the Buccaneers’ linebackers.

Sam LaPorta prop: Anytime touchdown (+137 at bet365)