Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds & Game Pick (2021)
Tom Brady’s quest for ring No. 8 will begin on Thursday night in Tampa, and the 44-year-old wonderboy’s team enters the season as a league-favorite once again. For the visiting Cowboys, HBO’s Hard Knocks has wrapped, and the real work will begin as quarterback Dak Prescott steps back onto the field for the first time in 11 months.
Let’s take a closer look at how this one might unfold as opening night approaches.
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Details
- Opening Line: Buccaneers -6.5 O/U 52
- Current Line: Buccaneers -8, O/U 51.5
- Last meeting: December 23, 2018, Buccaneers 20, Cowboys 27
|
COWBOYS
|
+8
-110
|
o51.5
-110
|
+300
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BUCCANEERS
|
-8
-110
|
u51.5
-110
|
-380
|
Overview
After 20 years with the Patriots, Brady stepped right into Bruce Arian’s system in Tampa last season and threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns — all with some of the best weapons he has ever had. It’s scary to think that last year was just his first in this offense, which has remained almost entirely intact after the offseason. That doesn’t bode well for the Cowboys (and the rest of the NFC).
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs will look to build on their 48 sacks from last season, as their JPP-led defense finished with one of the best front sevens in the league. Their secondary is a cause for concern, though, as they won’t have safety Jordan Whitehead (hamstring).
For the Cowboys, 2020 was a forgettable season for many reasons, but especially because of the injury to Dak Prescott. The quarterback even missed all of the preseason with a shoulder injury, but he’ll enter this game eager to get back to where he was last year.
The Cowboys will also have to deal with the absence of Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin, who will miss this game due to COVID-19.
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Trends
- The underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four of this matchup.
- Tampa Bay is 4-0 ATS in their last four home games.
- The over is 4-0 in the Cowboys’ last four games as an underdog.
Bottom Line
It’s easy to forget just how electric Prescott looked before his injury. He threw for 1,800-plus yards and nine touchdowns in just four and a half games! While it will certainly take him some time to return to that level, I believe this number has gotten out of control with Zeke fully healthy and Prescott’s elite receiving corps back in action.
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Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.