The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t played a prime-time game with major playoff implications this late in the year in quite some time, but Jameis Winston will do just that in the Week 15 edition of Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. Sportsbooks opened the ’Boys as healthy -7.5 home faves with a total of 46.
If recent history can tell us anything from a betting perspective, it’s that these teams have a habit of playing to the UNDER. In the past 11 matchups between the Bucs and Cowboys, nine have gone UNDER the closing total.
Dallas was the best bet in the NFL through 10 weeks, but things have gone off the rails since then. The Cowboys were 9-1 ATS ahead of their Week 12 contest with the Washington Redskins, but they failed to cover the spread as 5.5-point chalk in a 31-26 victory. Dak Prescott and company are 0-3 ATS in their last three affairs in the wake of Week 14’s 10-7 setback to the New York Giants.
Tampa Bay simply hasn’t been getting it done when it comes to winning straight up against Dallas, as the Bucs are a meagre 1-5 SU in their previous six with the Cowboys.
After a rocky first half of the campaign, the Bucs have their sights set on the playoffs and are on a tear both on the field and at the betting window. Tampa Bay has won and covered in each of its last five affairs, highlighted by wins over Kansas City, Seattle and New Orleans.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Odds makers at Sportsbook had the Dallas Cowboys as -7.5-point favorites in the game, while the betting total was sitting at 46.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas run early in the week pointed to a 31-17 win for the Cowboys on Sunday. And visit PredictionMachine.com for additional picks coverage. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Dallas Cowboys sit at 11-2 (9-3-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently 8-5 (8-5 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Dallas is 5-8 OU, and Tampa Bay is 6-6-1 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Dallas vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
According to the Power Rankings here at Odds Shark it's the No. 4-rated Dallas Cowboys and the No. 15-rated Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Dallas Cowboys No. 6-ranked offense (26.15 PPG) against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that ranks No. 16 at 22.77 PPG. The Cowboys passing attack has averaged 233.08 yards per game, less than the Buccaneers give up through the air (250.08 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feature the league's No. 14-rated road run defense, allowing 106.2 yards per game. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, ranks No. 2 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Buccaneers grabbed a Week 14 victory over the Saints in their last game, winning 16-11 at Raymond James Stadium.
Last time we saw the Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott racked up 107 rushing yards, but the Giants rolled to a 10-7 victory at MetLife Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay at New Orleans, Saturday, December 24th
Dallas home to Detroit, Monday, December 26th