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Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds, Lines, Spread, and Picks Wild Card Playoffs Monday Night Football

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in NFL Football

Updated Jan 15, 2023 · 4:09 PM PST

Tom Brady attempts pass vs Dallas Cowboys; Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrap up Super Wild Card Weekend on Monday Night Football
  • 2022 Record: 12-8, +2.83 units; Monday Night Football record: 9-5, +3.10 units
  • See the Cowboys vs Buccaneers odds ahead of kick-off from Raymond James Stadium

While it wasn’t always pretty, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are exactly where they wanted to be.

The NFL playoffs.

For the Cowboys, they’re hoping for better results than the last time they faced the Bucs. They opened the season with a 19-3 loss to Tampa, and wrapped things up with a deflating loss to Washington.

Now the Cowboys and Buccaneers wrap up Wild Card Weekend from Raymond James Stadium. Kick-off is set for 8:15 pm ET on a cool, dry Tampa night.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Dallas Cowboys -143 -2.5 (-113) Ov 45.5 (-110)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +120 +2.5 (-107) Un 45.5 (-110)

Odds as of January 15th from Barstool Sportsbook

The Dallas Cowboys are road favorites in an NFL playoff game. What may be even more surprising is that it comes at the expense of Tom Brady. Yes Brady and the Bucs are 8-9 and hosting a 12-5 Cowboys squad, but that still doesn’t sit right.

 

 

NFL Public Betting Trends are interesting for this one. Tampa is getting all of the attention when it comes to the spread, getting 70% of the bets and money. The money is favoring them outright, but the Cowboys are seeing more of the bets.

Everyone agrees the total is too low.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers Injury Report

There is a stark contrast between the two injury reports.

Only six names showed up on the Cowboys Injury Report this week, and only one received a designation.

That’s cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who was declared out with an illness.

Wild Card Weekend Injury Report

Cowboys Injury, Status Buccaneers Injury, Status
Trayvon Mullen, CB Illness, OUT Carlton Davis, CB Shoulder, Questionable
N/A N/A Mike Edwards, S Hip, Questionable
N/A N/A Robert Hainsey, C Hamstring, Questionable
N/A N/A Nick Leverett, G Shoulder/Knee, Doubtful
N/A N/A John Molchon, G Ankle, Questionable
N/A N/A Carl Nassib, LB Pec, Questionable
N/A N/A Keanu Neal, S Hop, Questionable
N/A N/A Kyle Rudolph, TE Knee, Doubtful
N/A N/A Logan Ryan, S Knee, Questionable
N/A N/A Donovan Smith, T Foot, Questionable
N/A N/A Vita Vea, DT Calf, Questionable

The final count is nine questionables and two doubtfuls. Nick Leverett is the big one. Since Week 8, Leverett has been locked into the Bucs’ starting O-Line, playing 100% of the snaps.

Kyle Rudolph scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 18 and hasn’t played more than 11 snaps in a game this year.

Of the players with a questionable tag, only Vita Vea and Robert Hainsey were limited participants on Saturday. Six of those players were full participants on Friday and Saturday.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers Comparison

While the Buccaneers took that Week 1 meeting, there is an asterisk on it as Dak Prescott got hurt and opened the door for Cooper Rush.

Before Rush took over however, Dak wasn’t exactly dominant. He went 14-for-29 for 139 yards with an interception. He was also sacked twice.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers: 2022 Comparison

Cowboys
VS
Buccaneers
3,736 (14th) Passing Yards 4,586 (2nd)
28/18 TD/INT 26/10
2,298 (8th)
Rushing Yards 1,308 (32nd)
4.3 (18th) YPC 3.4 (32nd)
3,415 (8th)
Passing Yards Allowed 3,461 (10th)
23/16 TD/INT 29/10
2,198 (11th) Rushing Yards Allowed 2,052 (18th)
4.4 (18th) YPC Allowed 4.5 (22nd)

For the most part, Tom Brady was his typical, reliable self when it came to taking care of the ball. He threw two interceptions through the first 11 weeks. Things got a bit hairy with Tampa playing desperate football in Weeks 13-16 as he threw seven interceptions to seven touchdowns.

Then he turned in an absolutely dominant Week 17 performance that carried over to Week 18.

What he’ll need the most, however, is Playoff Lenny.

Leonard Fournette’s yards-per-carry fell from 4.5 last year to 3.5 this year, and he averaged 10 yards fewer per game. It may be a challenge against Dallas, but Fournette has a habit of turning it on in the playoffs. He has nine touchdowns in eight games and 593 yards on 147 carries (4.03) in his postseason career.

If the Bucs can get it going on the ground, Brady could have enough time and space to slice and dice.

Cowboys vs Buccaneers Pick

Setting the Cowboys as favorites makes sense. On paper. They have the better record, better statistics, and a healthier roster. But two things stand out.

Prescott’s turnovers have gotten a lot of attention this year. He’s thrown an interception in seven-straight games, and 10 of the 12 games he’s played in. You can’t turn it over and win in the playoffs (Trevor Lawrence excluded).

The other is Tom Brady.

There is more than enough evidence out there that proves doubting Brady come playoff time is a mistake. I’ll test my luck with getting the GOAT at +120 at home.

The Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+120); 1 unit

 

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