Why to watch:
Just like last week, first place in the NFC Central is on the line in Tampa. Following their thrilling victory over the Vikings last Monday night, the Bucs will try to take sole possession of the top spot in the division when the surprising Lions come to town.

Behind its dominating defense, Tampa Bay is riding the NFC's longest winning streak at five games. Detroit has snapped out of a midseason funk with two consecutive victories, and last week the Lions beat the Redskins for the first time since 1965.

Ironically, the Bucs' only loss in the last seven weeks came in a 20-3 defeat at Detroit on Halloween night. Despite outgaining the Lions 292-256 and holding a nine-minute advantage in time of possession, the Bucs mustered only a field goal in an ugly defeat. In one pivotal stretch, Tampa Bay had a Warrick Dunn touchdown erased by instant replay and then failed to score on a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Of course, that was before the Bucs defense really got stingy. Tampa Bay has allowed just 56 points during its five-game winning streak, while forcing 18 turnovers and scoring two defensive touchdowns.

The Lions, who already have surpassed last year's win total by three victories, are a tough team to figure out. Detroit ranks 17th in total offense and 19th in total defense, yet the Lions are tied for the NFC's second-best record. The Bucs are much easier to figure: They're third in total defense, but 28th in offense. In other words, the offense's job is simply not to lose the game.

Who to watch:
All eyes will be on both quarterbacks. Bucs rookie QB Shaun King, who won his first NFL start Monday night, is expected to remain the starter. Veteran Eric Zeier has recovered from a rib injury and should be available as King's backup. The athletic King can make things happen outside the pocket, but he still operates in a very controlled passing system. His main job will be to hand the ball to bruising FB Mike Alstott and the speedy Dunn, who should return to the lineup after missing last week's game with an ankle injury.

Charlie Batch is participating fully in practice, but coach Bobby Ross decided that Batch will back up Gus Frerotte, who has started the past four games and is the NFL's second-rated passer with a mark of 97.5.

INJURY REPORT

Lions: OUT: TE Pete Chryplewicz (knee); CB Terry Fair (hand); RB Ron Rivers (ankle). DOUBTFUL: RB Sedrick Irvin (knee). QUESTIONABLE: S Ty Talton (ankle). PROBABLE: LB Allen Aldridge (knee); WR Germane Crowell (elbow); TE David Sloan (toe). Buccaneers: OUT: QB Trent Dilfer (shoulder). DOUBTFUL: G Ken Blackman (knee). PROBABLE: RB Warrick Dunn (ankle); T Paul Gruber (shoulder); C Tony Mayberry (back); DT Warren Sapp (shoulder); S Shevin Smith (hamstring); QB Eric Zeier (rib).

While the conservative Bucs will keep things on the ground, the Lions offense is predicated on the pass. Lions WR Germane Crowell is having a Pro Bowl year with 61 catches for 1,035 yards and seven TDs. With Johnnie Morton (51 catches, 743 yards, 3 TDs) playing well opposite Crowell and the return of a healthy Herman Moore, Detroit is able to challenge opponents consistently with three-receiver sets. Bucs CB Donnie Abraham, who has picked off five passes in his last three games, is the man to watch in the Tampa Bay secondary.

The Bucs like to play zone coverage in the secondary, while depending on DTs Warren Sapp and Brad Culpepper and DE Chidi Ahanotu to pressure the passer.

Lions RB Greg Hill, who ran for 123 yards on 16 carries in the first meeting with the Bucs, will try to get Detroit's stalled ground game back in gear. Lions DE Robert Porcher leads the team with 8½ sacks. Lions DTs Luther Elliss and James Jones will be key against the Bucs' running game.

Speedy Bucs WR Jacquez Green leads the team with 623 receiving yards and also has scored three TDs. Bucs WR Reidel Anthony is slumping and Bert Emanuel hasn't done much since his return from an injury, but King needs one of them to step up. The Lions secondary will likely be without CB Terry Fair (broken hand), while CB Bryant Westbrook is battling a hamstring injury.

Lions' numbers to know:
Including playoffs, Detroit has won nine of its last 11 meetings with Tampa Bay. The Lions also have won four consecutive regular-season games in Tampa by a combined score of 119-44.

Bucs' numbers to know:
Tampa Bay forced just six turnovers in its first seven regular-season games as it sputtered to a 3-4 record. However, the Bucs have collected 18 takeaways during their five-game winning streak, including at least two in all five games. Detroit is the NFC's best team at taking care of the football, however, with a plus-7 turnover margin. The Lions have committed a league-low 12 turnovers while forcing 19 takeaways.

What it means:
The winner emerges with sole possession of first place with three games remaining. The loser could be tied with both Green Bay and Minnesota in the wild-card hunt.

For the Bucs, who have the most favorable finishing schedule of all the division's contenders, a victory would be a big step toward the franchise's first division title since 1981. For the Lions, who still have games left at Chicago and Minnesota, a win is vital to keep alive hopes for a division crown.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Lions' game plan:
Frerotte has done a great job while Batch has been sidelined. It might be a game-time decision for Detroit on who will start at quarterback. Ross' football team will rarely beat itself with penalties and mistakes. The Bucs defense gives offenses so many looks that Frerotte and Batch will spend a lot of time on the practice field deciphering coverages.

The Lions must avoid being placed in long-yardage situations all day, especially on the road playing in a hostile environment against a team that is on a roll. The key is how they react to being stopped on first down. The Lions need to exercise patience by trying to nitpick instead of going for big gains. If they lose on first down, the Lions will set themselves up to succeed on third down.

Yet watch Crowell, who is capable of turning the short pass plays into huge gains. The Lions defense must concentrate on stopping the Bucs' physical running game first and then make King beat them with the pass. They will disguise defenses, try to keep Alstott from gaining four yards a carry and force King to be a playmaker.

Bucs' game plan:
Tampa Bay needs to continue developing King. As we saw against Minnesota, the Bucs don't want him to throw 35 times. They want to him to move around on his drops, constantly changing his aiming point. The Bucs will drop him five steps in the pocket on one play, roll him out on the next, then use play-action or a three-step drop. The Lions can't just practice for a quarterback like Dan Marino, knowing where he will be on every passing down.

If the Lions decide they want to rush King, the Bucs can pound them with their physical running attack. Tampa Bay must establish Alstott to take the pressure off King. The Bucs will do whatever they can for their run game to succeed -- whether it is using an additional tight end or motioning a player to block an extra defender. Maybe the first time the Lions put eight men near the line of scrimmage to stop the run, the Bucs should opt to pass -- not once, but twice in a row. That will keep the Lions guessing and help the running game flourish.

The Bucs might throw more on first down. King was effective throwing on first down against the Vikings, completing six of eight passes for 62 yards and a big touchdown to Green.