Mike Florio Picks Bucs To Beat The Lions 23-20
September 13th, 2024
Winning without Antoine Winfield?
The guy who picked the Bucs to be in the NFC Championship game isn’t flinching.
ProFootballTalk.com guru and founder Mike Florio, the NBC Sports super NFL insider, will not back down from his preseason Bucs analysis this week just because Tampa Bay has at a least couple of key injuries on defense. (Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. will not play.)
While giving his Week 2 picks, Florio said the Bucs in Detroit this weekend is exacty the kind of matchup he expects Tampa Bay to win enroute to a strong postseason run.
“If the Buccaneers are going to be as good this year as I think they are, one of the necessary foundational pieces is to go up to Michigan and eat some cats,” Florio said. “The Bucccaneers, the dogs, will be eating the cats in this one. The 7 1/2-point underdog will win the game 23-20. And I know you don’t like to hear that, Buccaneers fans, Buccaneers coaches. You want everyone to be against you. You’re not going to find that here. I believe in the Bucs this year. And I think the Commanders are better than we realize. It’s just the Buccaneers are very good.
“…One way to prove you’re Final Four team is to recify the outcome of a Final Eight performance last year.
Of course, the Final Eight loss Florio referenced is the Bucs falling by eight points to the Lions in the playoffs last year.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:15 am
They can do it. Izien is no Ryan Neal. He is a quality high effort football player. He will make an impact play Sunday.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:16 am
Bold prediction
September 13th, 2024 at 11:17 am
The Bucs need to slow down Hutchinson! He’s a game wrecker!
September 13th, 2024 at 11:22 am
I’d feel a lot better if half are team wasn’t injured and the other half sick. Slight over exaggeration but you get what I’m saying.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:23 am
For Florio’s prediction to come true, four things (minimum) must happen:
1. Bucs must win the turnover battle.
2. Per Wirf’s statement early today, the offense must put up big numbers and
carry the defense for once.
3. Offensive drives must eat up the clock to keep Lions offense off field.
4. Bucs mantra of “next man up” has to produce on defense
September 13th, 2024 at 11:24 am
I want some of what Mike is smoking…..but I like his bold prediction
September 13th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Eat some cats. ROFL.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Each week Dan Quinn’s DB’s will be moving closer to the line of scrimmage and playing a tighter zone. Bucs benefitted a great deal from a very loose zone week 1. Wide open underneath throws.
I would put very little stock into the Saints 47 or the Bucs 37. Both will get a better Idea on how they stack up with the Big Boys come Sunday.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Eating cats is now being used in the sports world.
The Springfield Ohio situation is gaining steam…
But YESSSSS, they need to max protect against Hutchinson. He can single-handed ruin your offensive gameplan.
Need to give Skule some help. Chip with Payne Durham & Otton as my CB as position when running flat routes….
I think Bucs offense can do some damage…
September 13th, 2024 at 11:54 am
I think the big Q here is not how well we can play with the injuries to our defensive secondary, but if our offense can be as explosive if Goedeke is held out due to his concussion. Lions have a top tier pass rush and we will need all the protection we can get. If our offense can remain in tact I think we can go toe to toe with the lions despite any issues with our secondary. If Goedeke is out, my hopes for a win are drastically reduced.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Ughhhhj, supposed to say “chip w Durham & Otton as much as possible when they running flat routes”.
September 13th, 2024 at 11:55 am
If the Lions don’t respect Mike Evans, Jaden MacMillan and Trey Palmer’s ability in the vertical passing game than they are not very smart. Of course to make those splash throws Mayfield needs the protection. That is going to be up to the offensive line coaching staff to slow down Hutchinson.
When I watched the Rams game I recall him rushing a lot from the left side which is covered by Wirfs. If that is where he is coming from I think the Bucs can hold him down one on one. If they move him to the right side the Bucs better sell out with Rachad White helping out or throwing screens to Hutchinson’s side. He is very aggressive and fast, got to have White in there on certain passing downs.
Florio is being bold, the Bucs are very heavy underdogs on the betting line so the money is on the Lions although 7.5 points is a lot even if Detroit is at home. The Bucs have something to prove. Perhaps the Sunday night OT late night win last week will have some Lion players out of sync. Lets hope so.
September 13th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Mike vs. Davis might be fun
September 13th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
LFG !!!
September 13th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
It’s great that Florio is anticipating us winning this week. Thank you for the reminder that last year he didn’t pick us in the playoffs against the Lions. You keep excellent receipts Joe.
I am a cat lady, so I am staying away from that discussion. 😺😺😺
September 13th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
My prediction is also a Bucs win, but I say the score will be 45-38
September 13th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
My only disagreement is on the final score. As depleted as our defense is, we are probably looking at a high scoring game. I say 35-31 Bucs in a barnburner.
Hint, don’t put money on my guesses LOL
September 13th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Florio said. “The Bucccaneers, the dogs, will be eating the cats in this one.
^^^^
What an incredible statement coming from an NBC insider. Florio seemingly isn’t concerned about ramifications from politically incorrect speech.
My thoughts were (with the injuries) as long as we keep the game close and competitive, a loss would not be devastating and would reflect positively on the coaching staff.
If Florio’s prediction proves correct, then let R.E.S.P.E.C.T. begin. GO BUCS !
September 13th, 2024 at 12:31 pm
we aren’t beating them twice this season…i can tell you that…
win sunday……lose in the playoffs…
lose sunday…….win in the playoffs…
that’s how i see it…that’s my f’in take
September 13th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
I think we can win. But I’m fine if we don’t. what matters to me, at this stage of the season, is that the Bucs can at least hang with the elite teams. You’ve said it many times Joe. What matters the most is how well we’re playing come November.
Let’s still win though.
September 13th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
It all depends on game plan. Get the ball out quickly, efficiently. Don’t stick to the run if it isn’t working. Play conservative defense and don’t allow big plays.
If we do that, it’s up for grabs.
September 13th, 2024 at 12:45 pm
It would be great if the MASH unit of a Defense can hold Detroit to 20 points, but that’s a pretty tall order. If they do, it’s likely a Buc’s W, as Buc’s offense should be able to score 24-28 points.
September 13th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
hahah the dogs eating the cats. wow was that a stupid (but not surprising) comment tuesday night.
September 13th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
He just picked us so he could say “eat the cats”.
September 13th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
lambchop Says:
September 13th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Eat some cats. ROFL.
____________________________
Thats better than eating “W’s”
September 13th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
@chris didn’t surprise me at all
September 13th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Detroit at home is a very tall order for an injury riddled Bucs team. I also like Hainsey as a swing O lineman and think he would do a decent job as a right tackle. Baker will need to get the ball out quickly with slants to Godwin and quick outs to Otten. This will help set up play action and deeper shots to ME13.
Have to be realistic about this game. Pretty sure it will be entertaining but Detroit has been building a strong team for last 4 years. They are strong where it really matters on both lines.
September 13th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
If the Bucs are gonna win by 3, it’ll be more like 43-40.
September 13th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
The Final Eight reference was referring to the eight teams left in the playoffs. Win and you’re one of the Final Four teams.
@Vinny. The key to winning is the same as it’s always been. Out score the other team. Thanks for your insightful analysis. 🙄
September 13th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Man, we’ve come a long way baby if guys like Florio are picking Bucs to do a Cardiac Bucs win 23-20. Whatever happens, I just want Tampa Bay to give the Lions headaches. If they’re gonna win, make them EARN it! Go get ‘em, Bucs!!
September 14th, 2024 at 7:13 am
Alright. I’ll say it
WHO LET THA DOGS OUT
WHO?!
WHO!
September 14th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Does anyone think Britt can cover Gibbs or Montgomery? I didn’t think so. No Kancey and no Winfield. Exactly how do we play it safe on defense? We outscore them or bust. Blitz every play.