Cowboys vs Buccaneers Props – Best Team and Player Prop Bets for Week 1
- The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off the 2021 NFL Season in Tampa at 8:15 PM ET on Thursday, Sept. 7th
- This game will begin the Buccaneers’ title defense of just their second NFL Championship in their 47 year history
- See the odds, spread, analysis, and best prop bets below
All eyes will be on Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys pay a visit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to open the 2021 NFL Season. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20pm ET on NBC.
The Cowboys will be getting Dak Prescott back for this one after the starting quarterback was lost to a devastating ankle injury last season. His presence will be much needed as the Buccaneers are returning all 22 starters from last year’s Super Bowl-winning team.
The line on this one opened at Tampa Bay -6.5 but has ben bet all the way up to Buccaneers -8 at most shops. The total still remains a mystery as that market opened at 52 and hasn’t strayed far from that number. As always, there are plenty of player props to consider.
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Player Props
| Passer | Completions | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott (Cowboys) | 25.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) | 291.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 1.5 (Ov -170 / Un +125) |
| Tom Brady (Buccaneers) | 24.5 (Ov -140 / Un +105) | 303.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 2.5 (Ov +160 / Un -215) |
| Rusher | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Total Yards |
| Dak Prescott (Cowboys) | NA | 12.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) | NA |
| Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) | 14.5 (Ov +105 / Un -135) | 53.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) | 79.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) |
| Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers) | 7.5 (Ov -135 / Un +100) | 33.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) | 50.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Ronald Jones II (Buccaneers) | 11.5 (Ov +100 / Un -130) | 47.5 ( Ov -120 / Un -110) | 57.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Tony Pollard (Cowboys) | NA | 17.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 31.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Receiver | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Longest Reception |
| Amari Cooper (Cowboys) | 5.5 (Ov +110 / Un -145) | 64.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 22.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) |
| Antonio Brown (Buccaneers) | 4.5 (Ov -105 / Un -130) | 52.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 20.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) | 4.5 (Ov -160 / Un +120) | 62.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 23.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) |
| Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) | 4.5 (Ov -155 / Un +120) | 61.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 22.5 (Ov -110 / Un -125) |
| Dalton Schultz (Cowboys) | 2.5 (Ov +140 / Un -185) | 19.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 12.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) | 3.5 (Ov +110 / Un -145) | 21.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) | 11.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Michael Gallup (Cowboys) | 3.5 (Ov -155 / Un +115) | 50.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 21.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) |
| Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers) | 2.5 (Ov -165 / Un +125) | 31.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 15.5 (Ov -125 / Un -105) |
| Mike Evans (Buccaneers) | 3.5 (Ov -160 / Un +120) | 60.5 (Ov -115 / Un -115) | 23.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) |
Odds taken Sept. 6 from DraftKings.
Ezekiel Elliott Won’t Run On Tampa
Ezekiel Elliott is still in his prime. You wouldn’t think that when you see what the fantasy football pundits write about him on Twitter, but it’s true. He’s only 26 years old and he operates in a good offense behind an above average offensive line. He’s still an absolute animal, and he has the highlight reel to prove it.
Ezekiel Elliot turns 26 today! 🎂🎉
(📽️: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/1l2tHoH9gE
— theScore (@theScore) July 22, 2021
Even with Elliott still being in his prime, he’s not the safest bet to have a great night on the ground against Tampa Bay. First of all, the Cowboys will likely be missing guard Zach Martin as he has tested positive for Covid-19. He is vaccinated so if he tests negative Thursday he will be allowed to play, but that seems like a longshot.
Even if Martin could play, no team in the NFL held running backs to fewer rushing yards last season than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were the only team in to hold opposing running backs to under 1000 yards in total on the season. Everybody will be back so there is no reason to think anything has changed.
One effect this had on opposing offenses was the way running backs were utilized against Tampa Bay. No team gave up more receptions to opposing running backs last season than the Buccaneers. Elliott caught at least six passes in three of the four full games he played with Dak Prescott last season, so this strategy is right in the Cowboys’ wheelhouse. I would expect him to catch at least four passes Thursday night.
The Pick: Ezekiel Elliott Over 3.5 Receptions (+110) – Wager 1 unit to win 1.1 units
Cowboys vs Buccaneers Scoring Props
| Player | First Touchdown Scorer | Anytime Touchdown Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Evans (Buccaneers) | +750 | -110 |
| Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) | +750 | -120 |
|
Chris Godwin (Buccaneers)
|
+900 | +115 |
| Ronald Jones II (Buccaneers) | +950 | +120 |
| CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) | +1100 | +150 |
| Amari Cooper (Cowboys) | +1200 | +175 |
| Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers) | +1300 | +170 |
| Antonio Brown (Buccaneers) | +1400 | +190 |
| Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers) | +1800 | +250 |
| Dak Prescott (Cowboys) | +1800 | +260 |
| Dalton Schultz (Cowboys) | +2800 | +450 |
Who Scores?
It’s hard to pick a touchdown scorer. Everybody knows that. Do we take a safe bet like Mike Evans at -110? After all, he scored 13 touchdowns last season. I like that but the books are only pricing him at -110. We’re already getting a better number on a reception prop. Instead, maybe we should look for someone at longer odds like Dalton Schultz.
Dak Prescott hits Dalton Schultz for a touchdown!@dallascowboys convert the two-point attempt and this one’s not over yet.
📺: #CLEvsDAL on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/wvEEn0SFTV pic.twitter.com/K6Sg5f81az— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2020
Schultz is listed as the TE1 on the Dallas Cowboys’ depth chart but he will definitely be sharing time with Blake Jarwin. Still, Schultz did good work with Dak Prescott last season catching two of his four touchdown passes on the season in the limited time they had together. We’re good there.
If and when the Cowboys get inside the 10-yard line, running the ball will likely be off the table. The Buccaneers only gave up eight rushing touchdowns all of last season so the Cowboys’ touchdowns are likely to come through the air. Only six teams gave up more touchdowns to the tight end position last year so that might be a good place to start. At +450, it’s as good a bet as any in my opinion.
Pick: Dalton Schultz – Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+450) – Wager .1 unit to win .45 units
John has spent the past 20+ years betting sports on a daily basis and is considered by many to be a walking sports betting encyclopedia. From obscure player props to sides and totals, if there is an angle, John will find it.
