Get ready for Sunday Night Football! Explore the latest odds and expert picks for the thrilling matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys.
- Date & Time
- December 20th, 2024
- Teams
The NFC playoff picture will come more into focus when the Dallas Cowboys host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football this week. Surprisingly, Dallas is still in the mix after Dak Prescott was injured as Cooper Rush has led the Cowboys to wins in three of their last four games. They would need the Washington Commanders to lose the rest of their games and for four other teams currently in front of them to stumble too in order to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay would be a playoff team if the season ended today. The Buccaneers are a game ahead of Atlanta and two games ahead of New Orleans in the NFC South race after winning four straight games to move to 8-6.
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Week 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -4 Dallas Cowboys +4 Total 48.5
Bettors have been backing Tampa Bay and the over since Week 16 NFL opening odds were released in earnest on Sunday evening. The Buccaneers opened as a 3.5-point road favorite in the Metroplex, and the Cowboys are just 1-6 at home this season. The total jumped a full point from 47.5 too as both Dallas and Tampa Bay have moved the ball well in recent weeks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Overview
Baker Mayfield has rejuvenated his career in Tampa Bay. Mayfield was left on the trash heap after his time with the Cleveland Browns, but he has shown that Cleveland’s organizational problems cut far deeper than his perceived flaws. Even with Chris Godwin injured, Mayfield is completing 70.8% of his passes for 3,617 yards (7.8 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Mayfield can be mistake prone and will force balls into coverage, but he leaves it all on the field.
Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans has been his best option in the passing game with 52 receptions for 749 yards and nine touchdowns. Evans is likely to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th straight season despite missing three games due to injury, and one more touchdown reception will make it six seasons with at least 10 receiving touchdowns. Tight end Cade Otton has been the second-favorite option for Mayfield with Godwin hurt, and Otton has 59 receptions for 600 yards and four scores.
Fourth-round pick Bucky Irving has surpassed Racheed White as the top running back for Tampa. Irving has run for 852 yards (5.6 YPC) and six touchdowns this season, compared to just 573 yards (4.2 YPC) and three touchdowns for White. However, White might see more carries here as Irving is considered questionable with back and hip injuries.
Tampa Bay’s defense has taken a step back this season. The Buccaneers are allowing 23.3 PPG and 356.9 YPG, ranking in the bottom half of the league in both categories. Vita Vea is still great in the middle of the defensive line, but the secondary has been really banged up. In particular, Antoine Winfield Jr. has only played in nine games and has been on the injury report almost every week.
Dallas Cowboys Overview
Cooper Rush is completing 59.6% of his passes for 1,405 yards (5.7 YPA) with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Rush hasn’t been sacked as much as Dak Prescott was in similar time under center, but he hasn’t been as effective either, averaging just 5.7 YPC despite playing some pretty bad defenses. Still, CeeDee Lamb continues to shine no matter who throws him the football with 94 receptions for 1,089 yards and six touchdowns on the year.
The run game has been a major disappointment, but Rico Dowdle has performed much better in the Cowboys’ last four games. Dowdle has run the ball 84 times for 478 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.7 YPC. Ezekiel Elliott is clearly a shadow of his former self though, averaging a mere 3.2 YPC.
Dallas has been bad on defense this season. The Cowboys are allowing 5.8 yards per play (31st in the NFL), and the Cowboys rank dead last in red zone defense. That’s despite ranking in the top five in sack and interception percentage, as Micah Parsons continues to post big numbers. Trevon Diggs is out for the season though with a knee injury.
Sunday Night Football Prediction
I’m backing Baker and the Bucs on Sunday night. Tampa Bay is on a tear, and the Cowboys have yet to face a team of that quality on their recent run.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 30, Dallas 17
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