Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys Picks, Predictions, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

The first Sunday of regular season NFL action will conclude with a heavyweight NFC bout between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. Coverage begins from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Updated on 04/26/2024

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING PREDICTION

The Cowboys and Buccaneers will meet in Week 1 for a second straight season this Sunday night, and viewers should be in for a treat if its anything like last year’s thrilling 31-29 victory for Tampa Bay. Their previous 60-point shootout wasn’t exactly a fluke either, as the Cowboys’ offense went on to lead the entire league in scoring at 30.4 PPG, which barely edged the Bucs at 29.9 PPG.

However, both defenses quickly turned things around after poor performances in Week 1, as the Bucs finished the year seventh in the league in points allowed at 20.9 PPG; while the Cowboys' defensive unit finished directly behind them at 21.2 PPG.

It’s tough to ignore the reigning NFC East champs getting tagged as underdogs at home in this spot, but the over is probably your best bet here. Dallas and Tampa Bay both posted blistering hot starts on offense last season, as the Cowboys racked up 34.2 PPG across the first six weeks of the year; while the Bucs averaged a similar 33.3 PPG across their first seven. Both squads lost weaponry in the pass-catching department this offseason, but I still expect to see more Week 1 fireworks between a Bucs squad that scored 27+ PTS in 13-of-17 contests last year; and a Cowboys squad that scored 27+ PTS in 11-of-17 contests.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 30, Buccaneers 24
Best Bet: Over 50.5 (-110)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING ODDS

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022
Matchup: NFC South vs. NFC East
Venue: AT&T Stadium
Location: Arlington, Texas
Time-TV: NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Buccaneers won the NFC South with a record of 13-4 last season, which marks the first time Tampa Bay has been crowned division champs since 2007 under head coach Jon Gruden and QB Jeff Garcia, trailing only the Packers for the top seed in the conference.

However, both squads’ postseason journeys came to a screeching halt in the Divisional Round, as the Packers dropped a stunner to San Francisco at Lambeau Field (L, 13-10); while the Bucs fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Rams (L, 30-27), who went on to host the NFC Championship Game and win the Super Bowl.

The Buccaneers ultimately came up short in the playoffs last year, but make no mistake, this is still one of top squads in the NFC, and they deservedly boast the second-best title odds after finishing top seven in both points scored and points allowed last season (29.9 OPPG, 20.9 DPPG); and coming just three points shy of knocking off the eventual Super Bowl Champs in the Divisional Round.

DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Cowboys won the NFC East with a record of 12-5 SU last season, earning the third seed in the conference and a home playoff matchup against San Francisco on Wild Card Weekend. However, their title hopes fizzled out quickly, as the Cowboys’ top-ranked scoring offense generated just 17 points on 307 total yards en route to a disappointing home loss to open the postseason (L, 23-17).

Prior to Wild Card Weekend, Dallas was respected as a legitimate title contender at +1200 to win last year’s Super Bowl, which only ranked behind the Packers (+380), Buccaneers (+800), and Rams (+1000) in the NFC; and rightfully so, as the Cowboys’ offense ranked 1^st in scoring and 2^nd in total yardage during the regular season (30.4 PPG, 401 YPG), which was backed by a solid defensive unit ranking 8^th in points allowed and 18^th in total yardage (21.2 PPG, 350 YPG).

I wouldn’t exactly call their first-round playoff loss a “choke,” especially after San Francisco went on to upset the Packers in the Divisional Round, and came just three points shy of knocking off the Rams in the NFC Championship Game (L, 20-17); but for a squad that’s 58-39 in the regular season since drafting Dak Prescott, you’d think Dallas would have more than one playoff win to show for their success during that span.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS BETTING TRENDS

• The Bucs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
• The Cowboys are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games.
• The Bucs are 2-7 SU in their last nine matchups against Dallas.
• The total has gone UNDER in nine of Dallas' last 12 games.
• The Bucs are 14-3 SU in their last 17 road games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of Dallas' last six games against Tampa Bay.
• The Bucs are 0-5 SU in their last five road games against Dallas.
• The total has gone OVER in 13 of Dallas' last 19 home games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson