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Buccaneers vs. Cowboys odds, line, predictions: NFL Kickoff Game 2021 picks from proven model on 120-78 run

The Dallas Cowboys are favored to win the NFC East in 2021 despite finishing with a 6-10 record last season. Dallas endured a number of problems in 2020, including quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury in Week 5 and a defense that allowed the fifth-most points in the league (473). The Cowboys are hoping to bounce back when they visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday in the 2021 NFL Kickoff Game.

Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Cowboys vs. Buccaneers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 51.5. Before making any Buccaneers vs. Cowboys picks, make sure to check out the expert NFL predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model

The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up almost $7,900 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six years ago. It went a sizzling 24-14 on top-rated NFL picks last season, returning more than $800. The model also enters the 2021 season on an incredible 120-78 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season.

The model also ranked in the Top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past five years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.

Now, the model has simulated Buccaneers vs. Cowboys in the NFL Kickoff Game 2021 10,000 times and just revealed its NFL expert picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting trends for Cowboys vs. Bucs:

  • Cowboys vs. Buccaneers spread: Tampa Bay -7.5
  • Cowboys vs. Buccaneers over-under: 51.5 points
  • Cowboys vs. Buccaneers money line: Dallas +310, Tampa Bay -400
  • DAL: Cowboys were a league-worst 5-11 against the spread last season
  • TB: Buccaneers were 0-5 ATS in primetime games last year, including playoffs

Featured Game | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Why the Buccaneers can cover

While Tom Brady and the rest of the offense received most of the accolades last season, the Buccaneers also performed well on the other side of the ball. Tampa Bay was sixth last year in total defense, yielding 327.1 yards per game, and were especially strong against the run, as they ranked first in the league in rushing defense with an average of 80.6 yards allowed. The Buccaneers also finished in the top 10 in scoring defense, as they gave up only 22.2 points per contest.

Among Tampa Bay’s top performers on defense in 2020 was linebacker Devin White, who had 140 tackles in his second NFL season to lead the team and finish fifth in the league. The 23-year-old from LSU, who was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, also registered nine sacks to finish just behind Jason Pierre-Paul (9.5) for first on the club. It was a major improvement by White from his rookie campaign, when he recorded just 2.5 sacks and made 91 tackles.

Why the Cowboys can cover

Dallas focused on improving its defense during the 2021 NFL Draft, its first six selections were defensive players. The Cowboys will expect game-changing plays from Micah Parsons, even though it’s believed the linebacker from Penn State only was taken with the 12th overall pick after top two cornerbacks on Dallas’ wish list already were off the board. The 22-year-old Parsons opted out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, but registered 191 tackles and 6.5 sacks over 26 games in his two campaigns with the Nittany Lions.

Parsons possesses size, great range and quick feet, which new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn hopes will allow him to complement DeMarcus Lawrence on the pass rush with Aldon Smith (five sacks in 2020) no longer around.

Another draft pick who could help bring down opposing quarterbacks is Osa Odighizuwa, who was selected out of UCLA in the third round. The defensive tackle was second on the Bruins in 2020 with four sacks in seven games and third with six tackles for loss en route to being a first-team All-Conference selection in the Pac-12.

How to make Cowboys vs. Buccaneers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 59 points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. Head to SportsLine to see its NFL picks

So who wins Buccaneers vs. Cowboys? And which side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see the Cowboys vs. Buccaneers picks, all from the model that has returned almost $7,900 on top-rated NFL picks, and find out. 

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