- We’ve made our Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys prediction for Sunday Night Football
- The latest TB vs DAL odds favor the Buccaneers by 4 points on the road
- Read below for Buccaneers vs Cowboys prediction, odds and expert picks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) head to AT&T Stadium to battle the Dallas Cowboys (6-8) in a pivotal NFC clash on Sunday Night Football. The Buccaneers are riding a four-game winning streak and sit atop the NFC South. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have quietly won three of their last four to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Buccaneers are coming off an impressive 40-17 road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in which their offense racked up over 500 total yards. The Cowboys handled the Carolina Panthers 30-14 last week behind a strong performance from backup QB Cooper Rush.
Here is a look at our Buccaneers vs Cowboys prediction, along with the betting lines for Sunday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | -4 (-110) | -200 | Over 48.5 (-110) |
| Cowboys | +4 (-110) | +170 | Under 48.5 (-110) |
The Buccaneers vs Cowboys odds show Tampa Bay as a 4-point road favorite, translating to a 66.7% implied probability. The Buccaneers need to win by five points or more to cover the spread.
This line opened with the Buccaneers as 4.5-point favorites before ticking down to 4 despite Tampa Bay earning the majority of bets. The line movement indicates some respected money coming in on Dallas. The total opened at 47.5 points and has risen slightly to 48.5.
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Odds current as of December 21, 2024 at ESPN Sportsbook.
Buccaneers Betting Outlook
The Buccaneers offense is firing on all cylinders during their four-game win streak, averaging 31 points per contest. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing the best football of his career, ranking 4th in the NFL in passing yards (3,617) and 3rd in touchdowns (32).
Where do you rank Baker Mayfield among NFL QBs this season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EZRV2pyzoM
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 18, 2024
Mayfield’s top target Mike Evans leads the team with 749 receiving yards and is tied for 4th in the league with nine touchdown catches. Evans is coming off a monster 9 catch, 159 yard, 2 TD performance against the Chargers.
Tampa’s ground game has also come alive behind impressive rookie running back Bucky Irving. The Iowa State product has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in two of the last three games. He’ll face a Dallas run defense allowing 136.1 yards per game, 29th in the NFL.
Cowboys Betting Outlook
With Dak Prescott sidelined, backup quarterback Cooper Rush has stepped up and provided stability for the Cowboys offense. In six starts, Rush has thrown for 1,405 yards with 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions while compiling a 4-2 record.
Since Week 11 the Bucs have blitzed 85 times, the second-most.
In Week 16 they play Cooper Rush who ranks 3rd-highest in fantasy points per dropback against the blitz in that time period…
Some sneaky shoot-out potential in that one. pic.twitter.com/sdMHPs1flQ
— Tom Strachan (@NFL_TStrack) December 18, 2024
Star receiver CeeDee Lamb is playing at an All-Pro level, ranking 3rd in the NFL in both receptions (94) and yards (1,089). Lamb has found the end zone in back-to-back games and will be a tough cover for a banged-up Buccaneers secondary missing safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Cowboys rushing attack has come to life behind the emergence of undrafted rookie Rico Dowdle. The South Carolina product has topped 100 yards in three straight contests, including a career-high 149 last week against Carolina. Establishing the run will be critical to keeping Tampa’s high-powered offense off the field.
Buccaneers vs Cowboys Prediction
While the Buccaneers deserve to be road favorites given how well they are playing, I believe the Cowboys are being undervalued in this matchup. Cooper Rush has stabilized the offense and is protecting the football, while CeeDee Lamb is playing at an elite level.
I expect Dallas to move the ball consistently on a Tampa defense that is vulnerable through the air (30th in pass defense) and dealing with key injuries in the secondary. On the other side, the Cowboys’ 29th ranked run defense is a concern, but I trust Micah Parsons and company to generate pressure on Mayfield and force a turnover or two.
Micah Parsons responds to latest trade rumors:
‘We’re gonna figure out a way for me to be a Cowboy for life.’
(via The Edge with Micah Parsons) pic.twitter.com/wCjxrA49dj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2024
With Tampa Bay seeing the line move against them from -4.5 to -4 despite garnering the majority of bets, I’m inclined to ride the sharp action and back the home dog. The matchup sets up well for Dallas, and catching more than a field goal in what should be a competitive game offers solid value.
The Buccaneers are 4-1 to the Over during their win streak, while the Cowboys have topped the total in four of their last five. I lean Over 48.5 points, but my stronger play is on Dallas +4. In a tight game, I’ll gladly take the points with the home team.
SNF Picks & Prediction:
- Cowboys +4 (-110)
- Lean Over 48.5 (-110)
The highly anticipated Sunday Night Football matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys is sure to be a thrilling game for football fans everywhere. Both teams are coming off strong seasons and have high expectations for the upcoming year.
The Buccaneers, led by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, are looking to defend their Super Bowl title and continue their dominance in the NFC South. With a stacked roster that includes star players like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski, the Buccaneers have the firepower to put up big numbers on offense.
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season plagued by injuries. Quarterback Dak Prescott is back healthy and looking to lead his team to success, with weapons like Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb at his disposal.
In terms of odds, the Buccaneers are currently favored to win this matchup. However, the Cowboys are known for their explosive offense and could certainly give Tampa Bay a run for their money.
Ultimately, this game could come down to which defense is able to make key stops and force turnovers. The Buccaneers have a strong defense led by players like Devin White and Shaquil Barrett, while the Cowboys will be looking for big plays from their defensive stars like DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs.
In terms of a prediction, it’s tough to say who will come out on top in this matchup. Both teams have the talent and potential to win, so it could truly go either way. However, if I had to make a pick, I would give a slight edge to the Buccaneers due to their experience and depth on both sides of the ball.
Overall, Sunday Night Football fans are in for a treat with this exciting matchup between two powerhouse teams. It’s sure to be a game filled with big plays, intense moments, and plenty of excitement for all those tuning in.