The 2021 NFL season is finally here, so we’ve prepared the best Cowboys vs. Buccaneers betting pick for the opening clash set for Thursday, September 9, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa with the kick-off at 8:20 PM ET.

The Bucs are listed as 7.5-point favorites on Bookmaker Sportsbook, while their moneyline odds sit at -360. The Cowboys are +300 road dogs to win straight up, and the totals are set at 52.0 points. These two NFC foes meet for the first time since 2018 when Dallas beat Tampa at home, 27-20. 

The Cowboys lost all four pre-season games      

Considering their last season’s performance and four losses in four outings this past pre-season, the Dallas Cowboys will have a tough 2021 campaign. Dak Prescott is back from a gruesome leg injury, but the Cowboys’ defense seems to be a problem once more.

Last year, Dallas was allowing 29.6 points per game (28th in the NFL) on 386.4 total yards (23rd). The Cowboys’ run D was a joke, yielding the second-most yards in football (158.8), so head coach Mike McCarthy will have a tall task to improve his team’s defense in 2021.

Dak Prescott played just five games last year, and the Cowboys hope he’ll pick up where he left off in 2020. Dallas certainly needs more from Ezekiel Elliott, who’s been awful for most of the previous season, finishing with 1317 yards from scrimmage, eight touchdowns, and six fumbles. Amati Cooper will continue to lead the Cowboys receiving corps after tallying 92 receptions for 1114 yards and five scores last year.

The Buccaneers hope for a strong start 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the new season as +650 favorites to retain the crown, as only the Kansas City Chiefs have better odds to win the Super Bowl LVI. They return all the key players from the championship season, while Tom Brady will aim for his eighth ring.

Last season, Brady tossed for 4633 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, leading the Bucs to an 11-5 record. Tampa was scoring 30.8 points per contest (3rd in the NFL) on 384.1 total yards (7th) while yielding 22.2 points in a return (8th) on 327.1 total yards (6th).

Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette will continue to lead the Bucs’ backfield after combining for 1345 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this past regular season. Tampa Bay receiving corps should be better this term, as it needed some time to gel things with Tom Brady, so keep your eyes on Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown.

Trends:

Dallas:

  • 2-8 ATS in the last ten games on the road
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games played in September 

Tampa Bay:

  • 5-1 ATS in the last six games overall 
  • 4-1 ATS in the last five games at home 

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick

The Buccaneers are a much better team than the Cowboys, especially on the defensive side of things. Week 1 is always tricky, but I think the Bucs shouldn’t have any problems beating the Cowboys by seven or more points.

Dallas will miss All-Pro right guard Zack Martin (COVID-19) which is a massive blow for their offense, and I’m expecting the Cowboys’ offensive line to struggle a lot in this matchup. The Bucs’ defense did a terrific job this past postseason, so we should see more of the same in 2021. 

Pick: Take Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6.5 at -138     

The Total:

The Cowboys will undoubtedly lean on Dak Prescott’s arm a lot, and their signal-caller is capable of torturing any defense in the league. However, without Zack Martin, Prescott might be under huge pressure, so the Cowboys have to find the right balance and get their running backs involved early.

Anyway, both teams have plenty of offensive weapons, so I’m backing the over on the totals. Also, the Cowboys’ defense cannot be trusted, and the Bucs certainly have a plan on how to smash it in the opening week.

Pick: Go over 52.0 points at -110