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Buccaneers vs. Cowboys Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for NFL Week 1 (Tampa Bay's Defense Reigns Supreme)

By Iain MacMillan

Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers line backer Shaquil Barrett (58) tackles
Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers line backer Shaquil Barrett (58) tackles / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys opened the 2021 season, with the Bucs walking away with the slim 31-29 victory.

Now, the two teams open their 2022 seasons with a rematch on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.

Tom Brady has returned for at least one more season, as he begins his campaign for an eighth career Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will try to finally get over the hump, with years of hype resulting in sparse playoff wins.

Let's dive into the odds, trends, and best bet for the first Sunday Night Football game of the season.

Buccaneers vs. Cowboys Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Buccaneers -2.5 (-108)
  • Cowboys+2.5 (-112)

Moneyline:

  • Buccaneers -132
  • Cowboys +112

Total:

  • 51 (Over -110/Under -110)

Buccaneers vs. Cowboys Betting Trends

  • Buccaneers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games played in Week 1.
  • Buccaneers are 2-7 straight up in their last nine games vs. Cowboys.
  • The UNDER is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these teams.
  • The OVER is 13-6 in the last 19 home games for the Cowboys.

Buccaneers vs. Cowboys Prediction and Pick

I don't have any faith in the Cowboys this season. Any team that is coached by Mike McCarthy, in my opinion, won't have success in the modern age.

With that being said, both offenses are fairly comparable in this matchup. But, I think the Buccaneers have a significant advantage on defense.

The Buccaneers had a banged up secondary last year, and they still ranked ninth in opponent yards per play last season at 5.2. Meanwhile, the Cowboys ranked 19th at 5.5.

Dallas fooled people into thinking they had a good defense last year due to leading the league in takeaways, but I'm of the belief that turnovers are more the result of the offense making a mistake than the defense making a play. In reality, their defense was completely average.

I think the Buccaneers win on Sunday Night, and I'm willing to lay the points up to -3.

PICK: Buccaneers -2.5

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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