Prescott has to cope with the pressure

Tampa Bay at Dallas
Dallas’s 11-match winning run was ended by the New York Giants last week and now it seems the knives are out for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott.

Admittedly, it is not just a knee-jerk reaction to that loss as he was far from impressive when the Cowboys squeezed home 17-15 against Minnesota the week before. But this is the first real test he has faced since gaining the starting berth and it will be interesting to see how he handles it.

With Tony Romo waiting and itching for action on the sidelines, Prescott would have wished for a more comfortable evening than the one he faces against Tampa Bay, who have drawn level with Atlanta in the NFC South after five successive wins.

Their run looks even more impressive when it is considered that they have conceded just 64 points in it and that high-flying Kansas City and Seattle have been among their victims.

San Diego scored 21 against the Bucs, which is the most they have conceded in one match, but while that cannot be sniffed at, it has to be a concern that they have scored just six offensive touchdowns in their last four outings. Nevertheless they should have plenty of motivation to extend that run in Arlington.

Prescott could calm a few nerves by ensuring running back Ezekiel Elliott sees plenty of the ball, but it would be no surprise if this proved to be another low-scoring game.

The Bucs held a strong New Orleans offence to just 11 points last week and the prospect of another battle makes the underdogs good value.

Recommendation
Tampa Bay +7
1pt 20-21 bet365, Ladbrokes

The lowdown
TV Sky Sports 1 Starts 1.30am
Venue At&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Surface Artificial
Weather Closed roof
Best handicaps Tampa Bay +7; Dallas -7
Points line 46.5-47 points

Team news
Tampa Bay
Wide receiver Adam Humphries has cleared concussion protocol and should be available.

Dallas
Star wide receiver Dez Bryant has been limited in practice this week with a back injury but hopes are high that he will be able to play.

Key stat
Tampa Bay have covered the handicap in each of their last five matches