Cowboys vs Buccaneers: Betting preview, TV schedule, & best bets

The stakes are high for Cowboys vs Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys ended their season in the most disappointing fashion imaginable, while the Bucs suffered an equally devastating blow in a loss to the Falcons. Both teams find themselves in the postseason, but does either hold the advantage going into Monday night?

How to watch Cowboys vs Buccaneers

What: Cowboys vs Buccaneers
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Monday January 16th, 8:15PM EST
How: ESPN, NFL Gamepass

Cowboys vs Buccaneers betting odds

Moneyline: Cowboys -114 | Buccaneers +118
Against the spread: Cowboys -2.5 | Buccaneers +2.5
Over/Under: 45.5 points

Cowboys vs Buccaneers betting preview

The Cowboys ended the regular season with a 12-5 record after the mess we saw in week 18, while the Bucs ended the year with an 8-9 record after benching their starters against the Falcons following an explosive first half. It’s been a wobbly season for the Bucs, while the Cowboys have built a reputation as a dominant unit in the NFC prior to their week 18 collapse. One of these teams is a contender, the other is a pretender. This game will reveal the identities of both.

Dak Prescott has been a shadow of his former self this year, but that was to be expected to some degree. No more Amari Cooper and a plethora of injuries have made life trickier than usual, but a top-5 ranked defense has been able to bail out the struggles of Dak Prescott for the most part. However, it’s looked vulnerable against some pretty underwhelming names in recent weeks, from Sam Howell to Gardner Minshew. This is where the Bucs hold an advantage.

The issue facing the Brady bunch is that the Cowboys rank 4th in points per game. They have a balanced rushing attack with Zeke and Pollard, and while inconsistent, a passing-attack that can still deal some damage. The Bucs, meanwhile, have been emphatic through the air, but rank 32nd in rushing offense. If they are unable to establish the run against the Cowboys, then Tom Brady is going to have to to what Tom Brady does best, win the game through power of will and by forcing the ball downfield, much like he’s had to do all season.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both have 1,000+ yards on the season, and Russell Gage’s 5 touchdowns bring the trio’s total to 14 on the season. I’d expect there to be a barrage of points from the Bucs, who seek to exploit the marginal skillset of Trevon Diggs.

If the Cowboys are going to win, it has to come on the back of the two running backs who have combined for 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Buccaneers defense ranks 10th in the NFL against the run when playing at home this season, meaning if Dak does have to throw from behind, then the Bucs have every chance of capitalizing on a QB who has thrown 13 picks this year.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers Betting pick

Ultimately, this game is a coin-flip, but I think the points total will sail over 45. The Bucs don’t have a rushing attack and the Cowboys may not be able to ride their RB tandem in Florida, setting us up for a shootout.