NFL Football Betting Preview - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

Detroit's Jon Kitna has been spending a lot of time running for his life... and getting caught. (AP Images)

One of the most amazing statistics of the year has to be this: The Detroit Lions have surrendered 28 sacks in just five games. Last year, Oakland led the league in that category, giving up 72 over 16 games. Detroit is on pace for 90. The NFL record is 76, by Houston in 2004.

The Lions (3-2) are coming off a bye week, a much-needed break after being blown out 34-3 at Washington. This Sunday, they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2). Oddsmakers like the home team by 2.5 points.

The line clearly reflects the lack of trust in a team that started out 3-1 but still has a reputation for losing big. It's tough to get a handle on Detroit. The Lions won their first two games. Then, in Week 3, they lost 56-21 at Philadelphia. The next week, they beat the Bears, 37-27. And then came the Redskins debacle, a game in which the Lions' previously potent passing attack fell completely apart. Jon Kitna threw for just 106 yards, no TDs and two interceptions.

Perhaps the Lions just don't play well on the road – both of their big losses came away from Ford Field – but it has to be more complex than that. After all, "Fire Matt Millen" chants aren't exactly uplifting.

As for the Bucs, they're playing some solid football, and quarterback Jeff Garcia is a big reason why. Almost as amazing as the number of sacks allowed by the Lions is the fact Garcia has yet to throw an interception in 2007. Only Jacksonville's David Garrard can boast that kind of perfection among regular starters.

Detroit versus Tampa Bay promises to be a quarterbacking battle of gunslinging versus managing. Go with whichever style you prefer, but be warned, you never know what you're getting when the Lions are involved.

NFL Football Betting Preview - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions