Dallas at Tampa Bay betting tips and NFL predictions: Cowboys can keep it close

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week One of the NFL.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & NFL, 1.20am Friday

Best bet

Dallas +8.5
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

We’ve got a barnburner to kickstart the new NFL season and the Cowboys should be able to at least keep things respectable when they visit Tampa Bay to battle the Super Bowl champions.

Dallas will be boosted by the return of star quarterback Dak Prescott, who missed most of last season after breaking his ankle in Week Five.

Prior to that injury, Prescott had been tearing teams to ribbons through the air and will once again have the luxury of throwing to top receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb. Lamb is now entering his second year in the NFL and looks every bit a superstar talent.

While the Bucs’ defense was particularly mean last year, they performed better against the run than the pass and if Prescott can pick up from where he left off, then the Cowboys have a good chance of keeping this game within a touchdown.

The lowdown

Venue Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Surface Grass
Weather Hot and humid 27C, chance of rain
Vegas handicap Dallas +8
Vegas points line 51.5

Team news

Dallas
Zack Martin looks set to miss out following a positive Covid test but quarterback Dak Prescott is back after missing most of last season through injury.

Tampa Bay
Starting safety Jordan Whitehead is expected to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Key stat

The Buccaneers are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven Thursday games.

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