Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions sports betting odds and lines, with Week 15 NFL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) seek to continue their winning streak against the Detroit Lions (3-9-1). They kick off at Ford Field in Detroit Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. We analyze the Buccaneers-Lions sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 15 matchup.

Buccaneers at Lions: Week 15 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Lions have lost six straight games and nine of their last 10.
  • The Bucs are winners of their last three and four of their last five.
  • Bucs QB Jameis Winston threw for 456 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in a win over the Indianapolis Colts last week.
  • Lions QB David Blough has three touchdown passes and three picks in his two starts.
  • Bucs WR Chris Godwin has 81 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.

Buccaneers at Lions: Key injuries

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) will miss the rest of the season. Winston (thumb, knee) has been limited in practice but will play.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (hip, back) is still out.

Buccaneers at Lions: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Buccaneers 30, Lions 21

Moneyline (?)

The Lions offer a decent payout at +155 but having lost nine of their last 10 games, it would be throwing away money. The BUCCANEERS (-189) are the only real choice, although it will not win you much money. A $10 wager on Tampa Bay will return $5.29 in profit.

Against the Spread (?)

The Buccaneers are 3.5-point favorites on the road. Neither team is a good bet. Tampa covered the spread in two of its last three games but did not over the previous six.

The Lions have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games. They don’t have the offense to keep up with Tampa’s high-scoring unit, even though the Bucs will be without Evans. Lay the points and take the BUCS (-3.5, -110). They’ll need to win by 4 or more points.

Over/Under (?)

The total is set at 47.5 points. Buccaneers games have gone over the total in 10 of their last 11, while the Lions have split the Over/Under in their last six outings. With a depleted defense for Detroit and offensive firepower for the Bucs, take the OVER 47.5 (-106).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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ESPN ranks Redskins’ head-coach opening dead last

Where does it rank?

The Washington Redskins are one of presumably six to eight teams set to hire a new head coach this offseason.

Though much of the list remains a mystery, the Redskins aren’t faring well in early analysis.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, for example, explains that none of this is the fault of fans but ranks it dead last among nine potential openings, writing the following:

“The organization has shed talent both on the field (Kirk Cousins) and off (Sean McVay, Scot McCloughan) in recent years in embarrassing fashion and spent much of 2019 playing its home games in front of a half-empty stadium.”

It’s hard to find fault with pretty much anything written there. The Washington front office doesn’t have a great reputation, a rebuild is just beginning and the team’s best player, Trent Williams, won’t suit up for it again.

While a budding young core of players like Dwayne Haskins seems encouraging, it should be interesting to see what sort of candidates the Redskins will have a shot at with openings like Carolina and potentially Dallas and others opening up.

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Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looking to continue revenge tour in Green Bay

When Ha Ha Clinton-Dix returned to Washington in Week 3, he had 2 INTs. He’ll be looking for similar success against Green Bay on Sunday.

When the Chicago Bears faced the Washington Redskins in Week 3, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was a force to be reckoned with. The Bears safety had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

It was Clinton-Dix’s first game against his former team since he decided to sign with the Bears last March. It was also the first stop in his revenge tour, not that he’ll admit it.

Clinton-Dix will be looking to do the same against the team that drafted him — and then traded him to Washington in Week 9 last season — when the Bears travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Not that Clinton-Dix expects another two-interception game against a former team. Especially not against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has thrown just two interceptions all season.

“If A-Rod decides to bless me and throw me the ball twice, I’ll be happy as hell,” Clinton-Dix said. “But unfortunately A-Rod doesn’t work that way. He’s the best quarterback in the game, and we just have to go out and execute and eliminate the big plays.”

The Bears were able to do just that in the season opener — eliminate big plays — minus one. While the defense more than did its job — holding Rodgers and the Packers offense to just 10 points — it was one big play that set up Green Bay’s only touchdown of the game.

Despite moving to the opposite side of the storied Bears-Packers rivalry, Clinton-Dix is looking forward to returning to Green Bay, where he spent his first 4.5 seasons.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Just to go back and be able to play against the guys that I’ve been with for the past five years, and able to compete against your friends. It makes the games more fun and more competitive.”

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Janoris Jenkins issues ’empty’ apology

What I’m Hearing: Art Stapleton tells us what he’s hearing following a questionable apology from Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins who recently used a derogatory term on Twitter.

What I’m Hearing: Art Stapleton tells us what he’s hearing following a questionable apology from Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins who recently used a derogatory term on Twitter.

Report: Giants’ Daniel Jones, Evan Engram not expected to play vs. Dolphins

New York Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones (ankle) and TE Evan Engram (foot) are not expected to play against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

When New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning took the podium following a Monday Night Football loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he sounded like a man who recognized that he may have made his final start in blue.

But fate is an odd thing and despite head coach Pat Shurmur doing his best to rush rookie Daniel Jones back, it appears as if Manning will get one last start — at home in front of his East Rutherford fans.

Jones, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered against the Green Bay Packers in Week 13, has been a (very) limited participant in practice this week and has not taken a single first team snap.

On Thursday, Jones did take another positive step forward however, staying after practice to get some extra work with some teammates who also stayed behind. He was moving well and looked close to a return, but the window of time he has ahead of Sunday’s game against Miami is about to close.

Meanwhile, the news was equally as bad for tight end Evan Engram, who has also been a limited participant in practice this. But like Jones, he is not expected to play.

The Giants will be back at practice on Friday morning with their official Week 15 injury report coming out later in the day.

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Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs sports betting odds and lines, with Week 15 NFL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Denver Broncos (5-8) take on the Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday in an AFC West showdown. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET. We analyze the Broncos-Chiefs sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks, tips and analysis for the Week 15 matchup.

Broncos at Chiefs: Week 15 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

  • The Broncos have won two in a row with rookie Drew Lock starting at quarterback.
  • Lock has 443 passing yards and five touchdown passes in his two NFL starts.
  • Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has had only one touchdown pass in each of his last three games, but the Chiefs have won all three of those games. He has thrown two interceptions in his last three games.
  • The Chiefs defense has allowed fewer than 20 points in each of the last three games and four of the last five.

Broncos at Chiefs: Key injuries

Broncos OL Ja’Wuan James (knee) and OL Ron Leary (concussion) might miss the game.

Chiefs DE Frank Clark (illness, shoulder) and CB Mo Claiborne (shoulder) could also be inactive.

Broncos at Chiefs: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chiefs 37, Broncos 24

Moneyline (?)

The Broncos (+340) offer a huge payout but the Chiefs (-455) are almost a sure thing. It’s too much chalk to be worth a wager with a $10 bet for the outright win returning a profit of just $2.20. AVOID.

Against the Spread (?)

The Chiefs are 9.5-point favorites at home. They have covered the spread in four of their last five games and five of their last seven. The Broncos have also covered four of their last five. The Chiefs seem to be rolling at the right time and they will frustrate Lock and the Broncos. Take the CHIEFS (-9.5, -110).

Over/Under (?)

The total is set at 45.5 points. Each of the last three games featuring the Chiefs hit the Under, while the Broncos have hit the Over in four of their last five games. Mahomes will find success and Lock will continue to produce. Take the OVER 45.5 (-110).

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Sabina Mazo vs. J.J. Aldrich added to UFC 246 lineup in Las Vegas

A women’s flyweight bout between Sabina Mazo and J.J. Aldrich is the latest addition to UFC 246.

A women’s flyweight bout is the latest addition to UFC 246.

[autotag]Sabina Mazo[/autotag](7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]J.J. Aldrich[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) on Jan. 18 at the UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2020.

UFC 246 takes place Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Mazo was initially scheduled to take on Ji Yeon Kim at UFC on ESPN+ 23 in Busan, but an injury forced Kim out of the fight, and the bout was subsequently removed from the card. The “Colombian Queen” suffered her first career blemish at the hands of Maryna Moroz in her UFC debut in March, but was able to rebound with a unanimous decision win over Shana Dobson at UFC 241.

Aldrich saw her momentum take a halt when Maycee Barber snapped her three-fight winning streak with a second-round TKO in March. In her most recent outing, Aldrich bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Lauren Mueller in October and will be making a relatively quick turnaround when she takes on Mazo, a former LFA flyweight champion.

With the addition, the latest UFC 246 lineup includes:

  • Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone
  • Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington
  • Diego Ferreira vs. Anthony Pettis
  • Maycee Barber vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Drew Dober vs. Nasrat Haqparast
  • Grant Dawson vs. Chas Skelly
  • Maurice Greene vs. Aleksei Oleinik
  • Claudia Gadelha vs. Alexa Grasso
  • Andre Fili vs. Sodiq Yusuff
  • Askar Askarov vs. Tim Elliott
  • Brian Kelleher vs. Ode Osbourne
  • J.J. Aldrich vs. Sabina Mazo

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Dolphins’ Ryan Fitzpatrick moving up quarterback power rankings

NFL.com’s weekly quarterback power rankings sees Ryan Fitzpatrick checking at 22nd — a high this season.

The play of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has definitely been a surprise to everyone — despite playing behind a makeshift offensive line, the grizzled veteran has transitioned himself from a careless, free wielding gunslinger into the caretaker of Miami’s fragile passing attack — he’s protecting the football at one of the most impressive rates in his long-tenured NFL career and doing so despite little to no rushing offense to lean on and keep defense off balance.

Is Fitzpatrick a long-term answer for Miami? No, of course not. But he’s been better than advertised for Miami and is playing a lot of fun football while simultaneously energizing the Dolphins’ offense.

And folks have taken notice. Each week, NFL.com releases a weekly quarterback power ranking of all 32 starters in the NFL and Fitzpatrick has continued to steadily climb out of the cellar. At the beginning of the season, Fitzpatrick was regarded as the worst of the worst. But now? Miami’s quarterback situation is rated as better than 10 teams across the league — Fitzpatrick has climbed to a tie for 22nd on the power rankings list.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Ali Bhanpuri had to say about Fitzpatrick’s play:

“Fitzpatrick continues to impress despite starting alongside as many undrafted players on offense (4) as he does first-, second- and third-rounders. The 15th-year vet doesn’t care, though. He’s a tried-and-true gamer. Line up whoever you want next to him, he’s still going to aggressively take shots downfield and fearlessly barge through creases in the defense. His 65 rushing yards last Sunday were the most by any QB in Week 14 and increased his three-week total to 112, which ranks second among passers…other than a tight-window interception on an overly ambitious throw, Fitzpatrick put a number of quality plays on tape to warrant a rise up these rankings.” – Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com

Indeed, Fitzpatrick’s sustained and stabilized play isn’t something that should be overlooked and his inspired play gives the Dolphins a blueprint for what they need to look for in their next franchise quarterback.

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Once lost in the shuffle, Michael Porter Jr. emerges for the Nuggets

After sitting several games this season as a healthy scratch, Michael Porter Jr. appears to be in the Nuggets’ rotation moving forward.

With the Denver Nuggets looking for a spark, head coach Mike Malone called upon Michael Porter Jr. recently and it could become a regular occurrence moving forward.

Prior to winning on Thursday night, the Nuggets had lost three consecutive games and are still only 2-5 over their last seven games. So, something was needed to get back on track and Malone decided to turn to the 14th overall pick from the 2018 NBA Draft.

Porter has played sparingly this season, often only at the end of games in mop-up duty. That changed on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers when Porter checked into the game midway through the first quarter. He logged 14 minutes in total, recording six points and six rebounds in the loss.

On Thursday, Porter once again saw action early in the first half after entering the game in the second quarter. He drained two 3-pointers in the period and helped the Nuggets maintain a sizable lead over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Afterward, Malone hinted that Porter could continue to see early minutes.

The more he plays — and I’m going to continue to play him — and the more he gets those first and second quarter minutes where it’s not just the end of the game. … The game is going to slow down for him.

The performance by Porter over his past two games won’t earn him significant nationwide recognition but it could be the start of a solid foundation for the rest of the season. After sitting out all of last season, the Nuggets have been cautious with Porter but it appears as though they are ready to let him go.

Porter has been a highly-touted player through his young basketball career and the Nuggets could see their gamble to draft him in the lottery soon pay off.

Next up for Denver: A home matchup vs. the Thunder.

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New Jersey Devils at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s New Jersey Devils at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New Jersey Devils (9-16-5) visit the Colorado Avalanche (20-8-3) Friday at Pepsi Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Devils-Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Devils at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Philipp Grubauer

Blackwood has been charged with three losses in his last five outings and is now 8-9-4 for the season. He has a .902 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average.

Grubauer has won three straight decisions and is 10-5-2 in his first year as the true starter. He has a .914 SV% and 2.76 GAA.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Devils at Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 6, Devils 2

Moneyline (ML)

The AVALANCHE (-250) are about as safe of a play as we get in hockey and the odds are higher than they should be with a $10 bet returning an adequate profit of $4. The Devils (+200) are second-last in the NHL with just 23 points through 30 games. New Jersey head coach John Hynes was fired earlier this month, and the team has now lost six straight games.

The Avalanche are 9-3-2 at home and coming off a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday. They’ve won seven of their last eight games.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Double down on the hosts and back the AVALANCHE (-1.5, +110) to win by at least 2 goals and receive an $11 profit on a $10 bet. All but two of the Devils’ last six losses were decided by at least two goals as they play the third of a four-game Western Conference swing. Five of Colorado’s last seven wins came by at least a two-goal margin.

The Avs are 20-11 against the spread overall and 8-6 at home. The Devils are just 10-20 ATS overall and 5-9 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 6.5 (+115) with the very real possibility of the Avs taking care of the 7 goals all on their own. Both teams hit the Over in just four of their last 10 games, but Colorado has scored at least six goals in a game five times this season. We won’t need much from New Jersey.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 118-97

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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