The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) visit the Dallas Cowboys (6-8). Tampa Bay has won four straight to take over first place in the NFC South. They are one game ahead of the Atlanta Falcons and must keep winning. Dallas’ playoff hopes are extinguished. The primary question is whether owner Jerry Jones retains head coach Mike McCarthy. Our Buccaneers vs Cowboys prediction is for favored Tampa Bay to cover the 4-point spread.
Head-to-head, Dallas has won 16 of the 22 meetings between the teams.
Offshore Odds: Bucs Are 4-Point Favorites on the Road
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | -4 (-110) | -207 | O 48 (-110) |
| Cowboys | +4 (-110) | +177 | U 48 (-110) |
Tampa Bay is Blistering Hot at the Right Time
The Buccaneers’ season looked like a death spiral after losing four straight, turning a 4-2 start into a 4-6 record after 10 games. They had lost two games to then-AFC South leader Atlanta. Some of their losses came down to a play or two. For example, they dropped an overtime game to Kansas City and lost by a field goal to San Francisco.
They got back on track beating three bad teams, the Giants, Carolina, and Las Vegas. Their Week 15 win was validating as it was a 40-17 blowout over the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers.
Now they have the Cowboys, Carolina again, and New Orleans.
After the midseason stumble, they could easily finish with 11 wins and a division title.
They visit a Dallas team just trying to get its season over with. The Cowboys are missing key performers Trevon Diggs and DeMarvion Overshown. It has other stars dinged up including CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons.
Tampa’s offense has been clicking. Baker Mayfield will throw for 4,000 yards and has 32 touchdown passes. They are fourth in the NFL in points per game, rushing yards per game, and passing yards per game. The defense has been up and down, but the Cowboys are unlikely to capitalize.
Dallas’ Injury-Plagued Season Winds Down
On the plus side, Dallas could easily have quit when they were 3-7 and heading to Washington to play the Commanders. Instead, they won in an upset. Then they beat the Giants, lost to Cincinnati, and went to Carolina as underdogs and won.
As Jones decides how to deal with McCarthy, it needs to be put into context that the team has been without Dak Prescott since Week 9. Their running game was shaky, although Rico Dowdle has hit his stride. Lamb is banged up.
The defense has been decimated all season long. Given the circumstances, coming close to finishing at .500 is almost impressive.
Buccaneers vs Cowboys Prediction: Dallas Will Not Upend Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers have come too far to let the Cowboys stop their run to the playoffs. Dallas is undermanned against a determined opponent.
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