Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions Week 7 NFL Predictions, Betting Picks and Parlays

Goff's MVP Spotlight Shines on Monday Night

Jared Goff's stealthy yet persuasive MVP bid will withstand a primetime TV audience and a top-shelf adversary this Monday evening in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting the Detroit Lions. Coming off a defining NFC battle, everyone's eyes will all center on Lions quarterback signal-caller to give him credit where it's due and see him excel against all the league's toughest defenses.

Goff has been nothing short of phenomenal this year, at the helm of a prolific Lions offense that has them right in the mix in the NFC playoff hunt. His precision on throws and level-headedness in the pocket have been the keys to Detroit's door to them. He now has impressive statistics, and a high percentage of completions and a phenomenal comparison between touchdowns and interceptions have him solidly in the MVP discussion with Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield.

This Monday night showdown, though, poses a considerable challenge. This year's Buccaneers defense has been a thorn in the side of quarterbacks and quick-scoring attacks, consistently infuriating quarterbacks and stifling big-time attacks. They have a disruptive front line and ball-hawking defensive backs that will challenge Goff's judgment and arm. A good performance in a winning cause on such a high-profile platform could do much to confirm his MVP status.

The Lions will also be relying on home-field advantage at Ford Field, where their prolific fan base will make life very awkward for the visiting Bucs. Detroit has also been very tough to beat under the direction of head coach Dan Campbell, failing to lose two successive games in an impressive 50-game streak. They will require all that fortitude to withstand schedule-hot Tampa Bay.

Led by a revitalized Mayfield, the Buccaneers will seek to play spoiler. Mayfield, who has himself been having a stellar season, will look to outdo Goff in a battle between two old number-one overall pupils who have regained their youth with new clubs. In intrigue, the game also has possible injury effects due to the Lions secondary's being dinged up, while the Buccaneers await possible return of star wide man Mike Evans. 

This Monday evening extravaganza has all the ingredients of a classic in Goff's MVP narrative hanging in the balance. Can the Lions prove the -250 moneyline right? Will this go over 52 ½  points? Can Detroit beat the 5 ½-point spread? The answers will come as the narrative develops but I like Detroit on the ML. The Lions have a tendency to make silly mistakes, and this will cost them.