Can Dallas Enjoy Postseason Success?
Dallas fans might prefer that the Cowboys head into Monday’s matchup as the underdog. The Cowboys are just 3-5 outright in the last eight postseasons when they are listed as the favorite and they covered in just one of those games.
Another number to consider is that Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady is 8-0 in his career against Dallas. It should be noted that Tom Brady who will step on the field on Monday is not playing at the same level as he was during many of those matchups with Dallas.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Dallas’ Dak Prescott has thrown 11 interceptions over the last seven games and his track record in the postseason is not impressive.
The Cowboys were fourth in scoring during the regular season averaging 27.5 points. However, will the team that hung 40 points up on NFC North Division champion Minnesota or the one that had just six points against Washington show up?
This is one of two Wild Card games that the sportsbook lists the visiting team as the favorite.
Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Cowboys vs Buccaneers. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds for NFL Wild Card Playoffs Games.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Betting Lines
Ready to Bounce Back
The Cowboys went into the regular-season finale with a chance to win the NFC East title and perhaps earn the No. 1 seed throughout the NFC playoffs. Going against a Washington team that had been eliminated from playoff contention and facing a rookie making his first NFL start, it was supposed to be business as usual for the Cowboys. The 26-6 loss left more questions than answers.
Plenty of teams have rebounded from difficult final games during the regular season and gone on a playoff run. For a team that has been underachieving in the postseason in recent years, the performance raised more than a few red flags.
Look for Dallas to ride the play of running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in this game. That is especially true if Tampa Bay is without run-stuffing defense tackle Vita Vea. Also, keep an eye on the injuries on the Tampa Bay offensive line because Micah Parsons could have a field day facing a banged-up Buccaneers’ line.
Five of the last seven Cowboys’ games went over the Las Vegas NFL odds total.
Do the Bucs Stop Here?
It is not a surprise that Tampa Bay won the NFC South Division title. However, seeing the Buccaneers limp to an 8-9 record was not in the cards.
Future Hall of Famer Brady led the NFL in passing attempts. He might have also topped the league in missing wide-open receivers. Injuries to both starting offensive tackles and star center Ryan Jensen, as well as both guards leaving in free agency, might have played a role in Brady’s struggles. This is a chance for him to engineer another playoff victory.
There are injury concerns on both sides of the ball, with the issues to receiver Mike Evans and defensive tackle Vea the most concerning.
Tampa Bay barely tries to run the ball and that puts even more pressure on Brady and the Tampa Bay pass catchers. Could the Buccaneers feature rookie run back Rachaad White a little more in this one?
“I’m just ready for the moment.”
🗣️: @chaad_3 pic.twitter.com/vB620Wk1rT
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 12, 2023
Tampa Bay has covered against the NFL betting lines in just one of its seven games.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Game Injuries
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Head-to-Head
Tampa Bay has won the last two meetings and that includes a 19-3 win in the 2022 season opener with the visiting Buccaneers favored by 2½ points. That ended a five-game run in the series when the game was decided by seven points or less.
The last time the teams met in Tampa Bay was a 31-29 win by the Buccaneers on Sept. 9, 2021, with Tampa Bay favored by nine points.
Six of the last seven games between the Cowboys and Buccaneers finished under the total.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Game Information
- Game: Cowboys vs Buccaneers
- Date/Time: Monday, Jan. 16, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- How to watch Cowboys vs Buccaneers?: ESPN
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Live stream: NFL Game Pass
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Game Weather Conditions
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 60s at kickoff so the weather should not play a factor in the outcome.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Picks and Prediction
Predicted Score: Cowboys 27, Tampa Bay 24
- Worth Betting on the Moneyline?
Those who believe in Brady conjuring up more postseason magic can jump on Tampa Bay is priced at +115. Dallas comes in at -135 according to the sportsbook.
The reality is that it is hard to have faith in either of these teams heading into the playoffs. There are simply too many key players dealing with injuries for Tampa Bay while the Dallas Cowboys have been underwhelming in the playoffs before.
- Worth Betting ATS?
Dallas comes in as a 2½-point favorite and if the game is tied late, having Brett Maher to call upon could be a deal breaker. Maher was 29 of 32 on field goals, including 9 of 11 from 50 yards or longer.
It won’t be a surprise to see Dallas head home from Tampa Bay with a win even if the Buccaneers did win the regular-season meeting. The Buccaneers were just 2-6-1 against the spread at home and Dallas covered in four of the eight road games.
- Worth Betting on the Totals?
Tampa Bay’s offense has been rather offensive. The Los Angeles Rams are the only NFC teams with fewer points this season than Tampa Bay’s total of 313 and the -45 point differential is the worst among the 14 playoff teams.
Dallas can put up the points but can Tampa do the same to allow the game to go over the 45½-point total.
Those who bet online should have a buyer beware sign attached to this game as who knows what these two teams will look like on Monday night.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
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