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Buccaneers at Cowboys: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) jumps over Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) and fumbles the ball during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) jumps over Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) and fumbles the ball during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. Here is the game preview, the betting odds and a prediction.

Sunday Night Football in Week 15 will be a real treat for fans of big time, prime time football. On Sunday, Dec. 18, the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) for an 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. NBC will have the telecast.

Dallas is coming its first loss since Week 1, losing to the NFC East rival New York Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 14, 10-3. The Cowboys have clinched an NFC Playoff spot, but need to play better down the stretch to lock up the NFC East and probably home field advantage in the NFC.

Tampa Bay is tied atop the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons at 8-5. The Buccaneers have won five straight games. With Tampa Bay playing great football and Atlanta having an easy final three games, the NFC South is likely to have two teams in the 2016 NFC Playoffs.

Odds

Point Spread: Dallas -7
Moneylines: Dallas -300, Tampa Bay +250
Over/Under: 46

According to OddsShark.com, the Cowboys will be laying seven points to the visiting Buccaneers in this game. The associated money lines in this game are Dallas -300 and Tampa Bay +250. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 46 points.

Here are the trends to know about the Buccaneers: 1.) Tampa Bay is 5-0 straight up and against the spread in its last five games. 2.) The Buccaneers are 5-1 straight up and against the spread in their last six road games.

Here are the trends to know about the Cowboys: 1.) Dallas is 9-3 against the spread and 11-1 straight up in its last 12 games. 2.) The Cowboys have gone under in seven of their last 10 games. 3.) Dallas is 4-1 against the spread in its last five home games. 4.) The Cowboys are 6-11-2 against the spread in their last 19 home games.

This is probably the best game of Week 15. Both teams are playing so well in recent weeks and both have a ton on the line in this game. Dallas wants the NFC East and home field in the 2016 NFC Playoffs. Tampa Bay hasn’t made the NFC Playoffs since 2007. The Buccaneers are in a dog fight for the NFC South crown with Atlanta.

Dallas laying seven points to Tampa Bay feels disrespectful. The Cowboys should be favored, but not by a touchdown. Tampa Bay plays real defense and should be a viable contender in the NFC Playoffs. This could be a potential NFC Divisional Round game in a few weeks time.

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Since Dallas lost a prime time game last week by only scoring three points against a rival, take the Cowboys to win this one. However, the Buccaneers will cover, as Dallas wins by a late Dan Bailey field goal inside of two minutes.

Pick: Cowboys 27, Buccaneers 24

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